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WIISni,N.Y.  14SM 
(716)172-4503 


^<k*^-^*'»""'- 


4 


CIHM 
Microfiche 
Series 
(l\/lonographs) 


ICIMH 

Collection  de 
microfiches 
(monographies) 


r 


} 


Canadian  Instituta  for  Hiatoricai  Microraproductiona  /  Inatitut  Canadian  da  mhcroraproduibtibna  hiatoriquaa 


:«»■-     '     ** 


\ 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notat  /  Notat  tachniquat  at  bibliographiqiiat 


The 
tot 


The  Inttituta  has  anamptad  to  obuin  tha  bast  original 
copy  availabia  for  filming,  Featuras  of  this  copy  which 
mf  y  ba  bibliogrpphically  uniqua,  which  may  altar  any 
of  tha  imagas  j^  ttM  raproduction.  or  which  may 
signif icart^ly,  thanga  tha  usual  mathod  of  filming,  ara 
chacfca4b<^iow. 


D 
D 


Colourad  covars/ 
Couvertura  da  coulaur 

Covars  damagad/     <■■ 
Couvartura  andommag#i 


□  Covers  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Couvarture/estauria  et/ou  pellicula 


ns 


Cover  title  mimri^ 

titre  de  couverture  manque 


n 
□ 


n 


n 


Coloured  maps/ 

Cartas  giographiquas  en  couieur 

Coloured  ink  (i.e.  other  than  blue  or  black)/ 
Encre  de  couleur  (i.e.  autre  que  bleue  ou  noire) 

Coloured  plates  and/or  illustrations/ 
Planches  et/oii  illustrations  en  couleur 

Bound  with  other  material/ 
Relie  avec  d'autres  documents 

Tight  binding  may  causa  shadows  or  distortion 
along  interior  margin/ 

La  reliure  serrte  peut  causer  de  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
distorsion  le  long  de'  la  marge  interieure 

Blank  leaves  added  during  restoration  may  appear 
within  tha  text.  Whenever  possible,  these  have 
been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  se  peut  que  eartaines  pages  blanches  aioutias 
lors  d'une  restauration  apparaissent  dans  la  texta, 
mais,  lorsque  cela  itait  possible,  ces  pages  n'ont 
pas  M  filmtes. 


Additional  comments:/ 
Cojnmentairas  supplimentaires: 


This  item  is  filmed  at  tha  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ca  ^aavffjmt  est  film*  au  tcux^  rMuction  indiqui  ci-dassous, 

\0X  14X  *  18X 


L'Institut  ai  n^icrof  ilmt  la  metlleur  exemplai^  qu'il 
lui  a  M  possible  da  se  procurer.  Les  details  w  cet       . 
exemplaira  qui  sqnt  paut-4tre  uniques  du  point  de  vue 
bibliographique,  qu»  pcuvent  modifier  una  image 
reproduita.  ou  qui  pauvent  axiger  una  modification 
dans  la  mithoda  normala  de  filmage  sont  indiqufe 
ci-dessous. 

□  Coloured  pages/  - 

Pages  de  couleur 

□  Pages  damaged/ 
Pages  endommagias  f^' 

□  Pages  restored  and/or  laminated/ 
Pages  restaurtes  et/ou  pellicultes 

j    yi  Pages  discoloured,  stained  or  foxed/ 


Pages  dteolories,  tachettes  ou  piquees 

Pages  detached/ 
Pages  ditachtes 


0Showthrough/ 
Transparence 


Quality  of  print  varies/ 
Quality  in^le  de  I'impression 


0 


I      1  Continuous  pagination/ 


n 


Pagination  continue 

Includes  index(es)/ 
Comprend  un  (des)  index 

Title  on  header  taken  from:/ 
Le  titre  de  I'en-tfte  prbvient: 


j       j  Title  page  of  issue/ 

P 

/ 

n 


Page  de  titre  de  la  livraison 

Caption  of  issue/ 

Titre  de  dipart  de  la  livraison 

Masthead/ 

Generique  (piriodiques)  de  la  livraison 


26X 


XX 


12X 


16X 


20X 


24  X 


The 
po» 
oft 
film 


Ori( 
beg 
the 
siOr 
oth« 
first 
siori 
or  il 


The 
shal 
TINi 
whi 

Mar 
diffi 
enti 
begl 
righ 
reqi 
met 


% 


28X 


32  X 


•^-i'u       &.  J.^3V 


'i  '  #-'  tf^t     9    ViiAi^:^i'.»}lr  I      * 


.1 


The  copy  filmed[  hare  has  been  reproducad  thanks 
to  tha  Qanarosity  of : 

National  Library  of  Canada 


L'axamplaira  ftimA  f ut  reproduit  grAca  A  la 
gtnArositA  da: 

Bibliothdque  nationale  du  Canada  , 


IM 


The  imagatf  appearing  hare  ara  tha  bast  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  Iceeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specif ica.tions. 


Original  copies'in  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sioni  or  the  bacic  cover  wheh  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning,  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  Jest  page  with  a  printed 
or  illustrated  impression.  C' 


^ 


ifj- 


Les  images  suiyantas  ont  At6  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soiq.  compte  tenu  de  \k  condition  et 
de  la  nattet*  da  rexemplaire  fiimi,  et  en 
c^formit6  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
filmage. 

Les  exemplaires  originaux  dont  l«  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprimie  sont  filmte  in  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en^terminant  soit  par  la 
derniire  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impressioD,ou  d'illustration,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
originaux  sont  filmte  en  commenpant  par  la 
premidre  page  qui  comporte  une  empreinte 
d'impression  ou  d'illustration  et  en  terminant  par 
la  derniAr^pagJB  qui  comporte  une  telle  ^ 

empreinte.  / 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche' 
shall  contain  the  symbol  ^^>  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"K 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboies  suivants  apparaftra  sur  la 
demise  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  selon  le 
cas:  la  symbole  — *>  signifie  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symboie  triignifie  "FIN^'. 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  included  in  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hand  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
filmfo  A  des  taux  de  reduction  diff6rents. 
Lorsquci  le  document  est  ttop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seui  clich^,  11  est  film*  A  psrtir 
de  I'angle  supArieur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  haut  en  bas,  en  prertant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  sulvsnts 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


1  2  3 


'l^V 


■^ 


1 


3 


32  X 


6 


■t' 


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;  ;;     POFOIiAR  NOVELS. 

*T  MAT  AGNES  FLEMING. 

J.-A  woimsRFut  womah; 

C^KOBUnS'S  BXYXKGS. 


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^   10.'-€ABSIXD  9T  8T0B1L    " 
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U.-A  Wira'9  TBAeUIDT.        "     •      ^ 
«.— A  OBANOBP  SBABT 

«  "SP^*^^""*  PA8SI6W. 
.    U.-8HABIKO  HXB  CSOO. 
^-A  WRONGBD  Wlni. 

J*— ™  A0TBW8'  DAUOHtKH. 
Ifc-THB  QUBKN.OV  TBS  I8LB  (iftw). 


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•  All  nblfoitfld  aBifonn  wttb  tUai  wIbh£  fw*.  •« » 

»  a  W.  BILIINOBAM,  ipaMUfcM. 
New  York. 


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IV. 
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XL 

xn. 

XIII. 
XlVi, 

tcv. 
ivL 


■J        ■    ,  .  -  *  ■ 

'  CONTENTS;-  L 

'•":^'    U  -    \'.    -..    •  ^  f.,      ■■■■■"       ^  -  ^  ^^ 

amppeiis  Isle. ..».,,*. ,.,..,,. _. ..^t  7 

The  Ma^c  Mirror. 4 ....»-   m*      'I4, 

The  Maniac's  Curse so    ^t^" 

The  Haunted  Room  ................>..  »^    43     '^ 

The  MidAight  cry .  w ......  ^ V. . . .     53^ 

"Off  with  the  Old  Love,  and  on  with  the 

New.".,.... .,...,...    0a 

The  Heart's  Struggle  ... ....  i ..'.....;.,  ^*,   7*     4^ 

The  Triumph  of  Passion .... . , .  * , . .  4  ; .  .^ .  -<  81  ^  !| 

Thf  Vision  of  the  Isle... ^.,,.,...;^^.,;..     94 
One  of  Fortune's  Smiles. .,«;.,>  ■^^;\, 4 , , .  101  ^^' 
The  Storm—The  Wreck.... I... :;.,.;  1.V  m    ^ 

Sibyl's  Return  t9  th^^Isle. . . .... ,..,.. .v.  121     ri 

he  Meeting' ;;;'i'»^.,.^;..i:v..,,.., ,.;.,. :.'!,,">».  131  '.^h 

(lf-Torture...........>.v..^.......'...  151  ^ 

toodand  Pocdt. ,.;..„.....,..,.,  160   ,.s 


■:Km^^U:.U 


„\    ^.    ALuUBcrorethoTempcat/w.v-t---.^* >^^ 

XVllI.    The  Fatal  Note. , * .. . •  •  '* *- ••'•"•  * " '  * *; .    .11 

.        XIX,    That  Day /^....^. •••••;•/••***'*.*** ''*'ltj 
^''  XX.    What Caipe Next... --••^►••r''V.;*"***''^-^>^ 

.^    XXL  That  Night :^:f  •'"'*'^^;!:  «9 

3ptII     Next  Morning. ...^••.••••••••••f'*'    , 

XXIIL    Mofliit.gi»l|l>»»4.>n.---"  — *r  '^3    ^ 

XXIV.    GMrti«— ^-•-•*^"*r''^-;'C  '  a67 
XXV.    The  Maniac's  Story.... **!^-'    J 

""^       XVI.     Remorse ,..i....^..-.>*>^—  *^ 

^'      HXVII     The  Widowed  Bridegroom...... -.r.r-i*  ^* 

xxvm  »M>w^ii*M*oi»»wte..v"--^^^*'^-"^^^^^^ 

V    :itxm    Tli^I)e.oiionoii^n....rir.----^-.^ 

i^>:    XXX.    SibyFs  Doom ,..,.......%^-»^^r.  % 

XXXJ.    %e Bankrupt He*ir.*..i.w.^--^'--^va^^^^ 

.       ^IL;4.»otherSt^Withi.««lVi^'^-'V^ 

'{ xxxm>eB««»^*^^ '^"":;;;;*'  ^ 

^'       XXXJV.    fixpianalaons ♦ \]U 


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THE  OtJfeEN  01^ /THE:Us£E 


A  HASTY  WOOIM 


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«*^i  I    II     Hill. 


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No  sound  But  oceaii's  roar, 
K     &«•  «ft«u«  tbtftold.  w»i»aw-hirtf  malot  te#  tiieoieL 

p   Jl   BOUTatat  mil^ftom  the  mainland  of  BT ^wixh 

£^   a»  tocft-boun*  coast  washed  by^t&e  waters  of  U&- 
broad  Atlantfe,  was  an  fsliet  ]u(6wii  fo  tbe  cbja  of 
whfefcr  write  as  Ctenpbeirs  Isle.  \/^  /   ^ 

The  felai**  was  smari— about  two  miTca  Fn  Ibi^aiuf',. 
the  saaKf  hi  bnw-lth^  but  feit3c  aad  lT«.urfou8.  Ths^Ai 
dease  ^mevat  forest,  whfch  as  yet  the  destro^ing^  ax  ha4i  ^^' 
scaw^  tottehed,  reared  itself  hrg;h  and  <fiirk  fn  the  north? 
cn»  f^  qT  Che  lislasxK    A  diaej^  usbrokeo  sQbnce  «»«r 


,r%K^Ki*UMi«iai^ 


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feigned  here,  savb  when  sdmo  g«iy  party  from  the  dppo- 
'  lice  coast  visited  the  islaft^il  to  fish  or  shoot  partridges. 
,   Sometimes  during  the. sunimer,  pleasure  parties  were  held 

here,  but  in  the  winter  all  Wfts  silent  and  dreary  on  th^ 

lonely,  isolated  little ,«pot;^>--'^  •->■  '\'--"' -r'^^'':'''^' ;;/-^kl 
Thia^  island  had  been,  from  time  immemorial,  In  tn^ 
possession  of  aT  family  named  Campbell,  handed  dotrn 
iiom  father  ti  ^n.    Thepcople  of  the  surrounding  cmn- 
try  had  learned  to  look  upon  them  as  the  rightful  lords 
of  the^oil,  "  to  the  manner  born."    The  means  by  wl^icb 
it  "had  first  come   into  their  possession  were   selc^om 
thought  ol,oit  if  thought  of,  only  Added  to  their  reputa- 
tion as  a  bold  and  daring  race.    The  legend  ran,  ^hat 
long  before  Calvert  came  over,  a  certain  Sir  Guy  Catnp- 
bell,  a  celebrated  freebooter  und  scion  of  the  noble  Scot- 
tish clan  of  that  name,  who  for  some  reckless  prime  bad^ 
been  outlawed  and  banished,  ^A^M  revenge*had  hoisted. 
^^        the  black  flag  and  become  a  roferon  the  high  seas,  had, 
in  his  wanderings,  discovered  this  solitary  island,  which  . 
he  made  the  pl^  of  his  rendezvous.    Here,  with  his 
band  of  daredevils— all  outlaws  like   himself— he  held 
i9any  a  jolly  carousal  that  made  the  olH  woods  ring. 

In-one  of  his  adventures  he  had  taken  captive  a  young 
Spanish  girt,  whose  wondrous  beauty  at  once  conquered 
a  heart  all!  unused  to  the  tender  passion.  He  bore  oflE  his 
prize  in  triumph,  and  without  asking  her  consiBnt,  made 
her  his  wife  at  the  first  port  be  touched.  Soon,  however, 
tiring  of  h^  company  on  slvpboard,  he  brought  her  to  his 
island  homk  and  their  left  her  to  occupy  his  castle,  while 
he  sailed  merrily  away.  One  year  afterward,  Sir  Guy  the 
Fearless,  as  he  was  called,  w|is  conquered  by  an  English 
^^  dodp-of-way ;  and,  true  to  his  daring  character,  he  blew^ 
itp-^e  ves»l,  and,  together  with  his  crew  and  captDr^ 
HBrishod^n  ihe  explosion.  /-        r 


H^ ^11  and  succesaor,  Gasper,  bora  on  the  i«lc,«reW 

wp  tall,  bold,  ami  handsome,  with  all  his  father's  dario«  ^ 

^d  undaunted  courage, and  his  mbther's  beauty, and  to* 

rid  pasaionate  nature.    He,  in  the  course  of  time,  took  to 

hifljself  k  wifcfof  the  daughters  of  (he  mainlatfd ;  and,  after 

:M  Short.  Stormy  life,  passed|»way  Jn  his  turn  to  render  aii 

..•eoount  of  his  works,  leavinig:  to  his  eldest  ipn,  Hugh,  tb« 

bold  spirit  of  his  forefathers,!  the  possession  6f  Campbell's 

WY"**^  the  family  mansion  known  as  Campbell's  Lodge.  " 

,  And  so,  from  one  generation  to  another,  the  Campbells 
rirfed  as  lords  of  the  isle,  and  became,  in  after  years,  as 
poted  fof^their  poverty  as  their  pride:  A  reckless,  improri 
ident  race  iftey  were,  caring  only  for  to-day;  abd  lettini^ 
to-morrow  care  for  itself;  quifckihd  fierce  to  resent 
injury  or  msult,  and  implacable  as  ^death  or  doom  in  theii' 
bate.  ^  Woe  to  the  man  who  would  dar«^  point  in  scorn  at 
one  of  their  name !  Like  a  sieut^^hound  they- would  dog 
his  steps  night  aadTday,  *tid^  not  until  their  vengeancl 

Isle  were  known  and  dreaded  for  miles  around.  PrOm 
sire  to  son  the  fiery  blopd  o^Sir  Gu)^  the  F<»rless  passed 
unadultemed,  and  throbbed  in  the  veins  of^ark  Camp- 
bell, the  late  master  of  the  lodge,  in  a  darkecjiercef 
stream  thaa  ,n  any  that  had  gone  before.  A  hea^Ibrowed 
stern-hearted  man  he  was,  of  whpse  dark  deeds  wil» 
rumors  went  whispeAng  a^ut,  for  ho  one  dared  breathe 
them  aloud,  lest  they  should  reach  his  vindictive  ears,  and^ 
rouse  the  slumbering  ti^er  in  his  breast.  At  his  death, 
which  t<wk  place  some  twA  or  three  yeai^  previous  to  the 
opemog  of.our^tory,  his  si^n  Guy,  a  true  descendant  of 
h^s  lilustnous  namesake,  became  the  lord  and  master  of 
the  isle,  and  the  hist  of  the  Campbells. 

Yom$  Guy  showed  ho  disposition  to  pass  Ms  da^  |«. 


'Hi 


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TOun^  Guy,  tjOtlng-with  him  his  onlr  sister,  spent  hiauow 


■-h. 


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,■  %.*  >f' 

"'id' 


:<v 


■  >»!.•... 


w.boaftshq|d»4^9a.  baptyift  buatiiag^  old  lltdnrUe  »» teww 
from  mbrningr  tiH  night.  \k  wild  young  sisl^  •!  liift 
Tom's  had  run  away  with  a'butdh  fiddler,  and^dying  a  few 
years  after,  waasoon  IbliowW  to  the  gravej)y  her  hti^ 
band,  who  drank  more  than  ^as  good  for  him  one  night, 
aqd  was  found  dead  iq.thft  miaiSwu^    Master  Carl  Henley 
was  accordingly  adopted  by  hii  liVrngjcWtive  aiid,  astibak 
good  lady  declared,  bad  been"  the  diytfh  of  her  "  ever  sincft. 
A  young  girl  of  sixteen,  khowtt  only  as  "Christie,*^ 
was  the  onljf  QthcK  member  q1  Mra.  TQni:$.  Iwbily.    Who 
this  girl  wai,  where  she  had  comMi»niHa*»Awhat"wr8  her 
fanuly  name,  Was  a  mystery ,  and  }/itl  Tom,  when  ques- 
tiiBW*twtthciSubjeoti  oofy  ahtiT  £|^ir  ii|ipa^  s&ooft  her 
b«adtai3^«!ioua%  ajHJk  i^nUm  wBSnnr  &  nmi^    Although 
aha  «aUcd'|ft*oliU  hi%aui>t»  iTwaa  jmaml]yr||ri!n»red  t^ 
sbitiMisc aamiati^;;  IkutrasGhi^^  Waa:  at  ftnoifiie'  witft  4 
Uh  whcit  ittsiicNb  thtk  itiaofl}  bhu  nu^stsry  ooosmnin^  h^  ** 
though  it  ,piquttd>  tiiiftcimnsii^of  Oweiirioiu^iitiiilieiftaay 
Ktohf  nonfttfealam.   A.hia^N«ii«ftiuodliw<fii^ftn<|,ir- 
disk^raeablft^  ohattefing*  p^mt  tompUettd:  ^  ivldbat't 
houaiUlkol^.  »-, 

Mr.  Tom's  business  was  fiotMtshinjp  Sfcrigmi^a^i^Mgfc 
nlac  mm  ttaitfet  weok  tm  W  &«iM>4  whentt  alt«  diapos 
of  Mni  init8»  a^  bonrin^  fa»  if^AsA  th»  inmiX  -^— ^■f|_^ 
and  brought  bacii  g»»<»rwsand!su«fetliri^wa»  sbe  need^A 
Beaidea  tliatt  afa«  kept  a^rtj^  law«»in<i  paac»«l^«fc£i««* 
»6ttt  foe^ftaftiildiaiaadfia^^ 

Vmda|p»irtw<^j««.^ishwid  ;^aRdifoiraai^ftiba«i  Hi^ 
^  lam)  andisoH  wafclaawnMOift  famesof  Mtti  T«m» 

Stt(d»  wta  QtmpfaeU'4  Wt,  andi  suob<  w«^  %&.  ammi^ 
And  mtu^wtik.  R>ft  many  ]!I$m«c  nosr  i»  ha^'bttn.  qpiki 
•iu&i«^pM^.«Bi|^iig^  «Bt4.  Oi*  dttMtopoilcie:  oft  «>4drT 


-.<=->"».. 


f.    . 


Is 


•^ 


.«J^^^ 


•»3i*&l' 


■hr^p^^^y'-i^y^  ^X^^'; 


TEB   MA&IO  MIBBOK 


af* 


\\ 


Startling  events  that  for  long  afterward  were  remenibel-ed 
i^  the  country  around  and  electrified  fot  a  time  the  wbole 
immunity. 


CHAPTER  U 


THE  MAGIC  MIRROR. 


J 


'  I  turned  my  eyes,  and  as  I  turned  surveyed  ' 
^n  awful  vision."  . 


m- 


^?^1pHE  sun  was  sinking  in  the  far  west  as  the  littte 
p^l  schoono^  Evening  Star  went  dancing  over  th« 
"*•  bright  waves  towards  Campbell's  Isle  Captaia 
Guy  Campbell  stood  leaning  negligently  over  the  taffrail, 
solacing  himself  with  a  cigar,  and  conversing  at  intervals 
Iflth  a  slight,  somewhat  haughty-looking  young  man,  who 
''kL  -«tood  beside  him,  watching  the  waves  flashing,  as  they 
'Vf  sped  along.  No  two  could  be  more  opposite,  as  far  as 
looks  went,  than  those  two,  yet  both  were  handsome  and 
about  the  same  age.  • 

Like  all  his  race,  young  Campbell  was  vpry  tall,  and 
dark  as  a  Spaniard.    His  short,  black,  curling  hair  shad- 
owed.-a  forehead  high,  bold,  and  commanding.    Dark, 
,  been,  proud  eyes  flashecl  from  beneath  jetty  eye-brows, 
and  the  firm,  resolute  motith.  gave  to  his  dark  face  a  look 
almost  fierqe.    His  figure  was  exquisitely  proportioned 
-and-thete  was  a  certain  bold  franknes^'min^f^jyithjL 
reckless,  devil-may  care  expression  in  his  fine  face,  tfiit 
atoned  for  his  swarthy  complexion  and  stern  brows.- 
V   Hi«  companion  was  a  uU»  elegant  young  omn,  with  alt^ 


fl  '/■• 


-tt"' 


i^^ 


i 


air  of  proud  superiority  about  him,  as  though  he  were 
f^somebody/'and  knew  it.    His  complexion  was  fair  as  a 
lady's,  and  would  have  been  effeminate  but  for  the  dark, 
bold  eyesand  his  dadfiing  air  generally.    There  was  some- 
thing particularly  winning  in  h^^andsome,iace,  espec- 
ial^ when  he  smiled,  that  lit  up^s  whole 'countenance 
with  new  beauty.    Yet,  with  all,  there  was  a  certain  faith- 
less expression  about  the  finely  formed  mouth  that  would 
have  led  a  close  observer  to  hesitate  before  trusting  him 
too  far.    This,  reader,  was  Mr.  Willard  Drummond,  A 
young  ha^f-American,  half.Parisian,  and  heir  to  one  of 
the  fine§|  estates  in  the  Old  Dominion.    The  last  five 
years  he  had  passed  io  Paris,  and  when  he  was  thinking 
olreturning  home  he  had  encountered  Campbell  and  his 
sister.    Fond  *»f  luxury  and  ease  as.  the  young  patrician 
was,  he  gave  up  all,  after  that,  for  the  "attraction  he  dis- 
covered on  board  the  schooner  Evening  Star.    And  Cap- 
tain Campbell,  pleased  with  his  new  friend,  invited  him 
to  cross  the  ocean  with  him,  and  spend  a  few  weeks  witk 
him  in  his  ancestral  home,  whither  he  was  obliged  to  stop 
while  some  repairs  were  being  made  in  his  vessel,  which 
invitation  Willard  Drummond,  nothing  loth,  accepted,  ^if' 

"^ell,  Campbell,  how  is  that  patient  of  yours  tfiis^ 
eveain^  ?",  inquired  Drummond,  after  a  pause. 

"Don't  know,"  replied  Captain  Campbell,  carelessly; 
"I  haven't  seen  him  since  morning.  Sibyl  is  with  him 
now/*,;*,.,.;-. -,,../-.;■■   -r-i  ..;/./  .*.-,-  :-■:  ^c'-    -f   ..     ..•■—:■;     :>^ - 

"By  the  way,  where  did  you  pick  him'  up ?  He  wap' 
nol  one  of  your  crew,  I  understand." 

•  "  No ;  I  met  him  in  Liverpool.  He^came  to 'me  one  day^ 
and  as^od  me  to  take  firmBome."~l  replied  that  I  had  no 
accommodations,  and  would  much  rather  6ot  b^  troubl^ 
with  passengers*    However,  he  pleaded  so  hanl  foi^me  to 


'm 


AWt^ 


j»tlkPKHiQ^K)t  qU  «b4fe  i»^(o»  llt»t  I  )iad)  QAi^  tlM.  beavt  tQ:  raCufio; 

4oof«riAl)r:«yi3)g  QaibifemJUid,  wd  gtrJfealiwftyft  knoni'  \m^ 
"  i(#i;  i9».  y^  I  may  j«dg«;by  lU8  Ippka,  ofehjMnbl*8tafi©%: 

•«*\^;  RicJwdQMm"         V 
^    ^ilHint!    Weil^itwQuMb9:4^pleA»ix^aQha««!bito4^^^ 

^W^Mi^X  now  b0<tuiit9  qoar:tJjistMton4!lom«  at jQiMi*, 
<^ta*»iC^n9ipb!ell;  I  giiftw  isapoti^nit  t<j  aeftifc" 

'*  We  sha^l  r«$kpj^  i|tiil)»Ukaioaf|]»Sft  t»-ai«^i^ 
llQlicte  a»  ij.  is  nflw."  . 

**  fia^^9ti  mm  L  4a)ti.dlo  yiGiiLiiiteAd  doing  withi tbis 
—Richard  Grove,  When  you  get  there?  Will  you  take 
1)J^  intp  yoiuj  Robin»onsCj4isoft  cfte^e  aiid,nui»t  hina:  un- 
til he  gets  well,  as  thM.  enUKf^nMOgr  QHiQit<buUdflK:  <|JMb 


•».  - 


^f,f>T,^*V^f<^ 


\ 


mm  MA^m  wnmf. 


1*1 


yours?"  said  l?winw.QM»^<?JM»«i  mwmhmmMmim  ^1 

•'  Yes  ;  old  Mrs.  Torn,  a  distant  conn(toMA<|  q£  ^it>$»|r 

XQ^fe  «»o5^  ti.i»a#.  tjfe&  old  moiPftji*:' 
^?n^mg>*^ai;€»«;ol4^fell7lqrtl»Mi^i94"aaid5h3^  .n 

.   '^X^  ^itfe,  ^»uh^  9  ri»»pi«ii|^,  linJy-kifllp^  ap  you,  wr 
doubt."  ^     »  -w. 

*«l  S^fti^  mk  ^%  9m  W^  m  thftworU  wof*h  the  j 
troHbisQf  1PW|E^'^4  P^t«fflWcyi<tlQQ|yiie  tfeOMg^  •  ^ 

ii»jtft,i^il5a|ft5...|       ,.     .        '  .       ■  ■,:,:■■.,      '  ■  ■  ^    - 

"Ah,  what  a^b^mgOB  shQ  iiiu8tihftiwj.l|«fi^  '  ifif^  I^^^ 

what  quarter  o|UiPglQl>^;l*»%tlKil|ftB!Cw  qC  qoi||l^9intf  sq/ 
pef^ess^b^jf^uti?" 

"  4  ilftwiv  s^A^ft,  wa^  n.  l^eft»ty«  mm  mi-    Suit  oewf ' 
tomd  that.     When  do  you,  ^^gsofe  tfl,  ^  i^^y  fo^  5«fc 

"  As  sopD  ^  i3lps5ilife|«,|i|,% ff n^i»fl!^^  periiaps^fou  I  '  f^- 
fear  that  we'll  all  Wn  get  tired  of  t(a^  lft)M?l>«fif|s,  o^tin^"^ 


''^^^f^^mm9^t9,  \mypim:'l% 


liness  by  this  time." 

"Is it  possible ?    I  thouglit,  you  Gw^pbelljC  were  W    * 
as  that"  • 


^^#«^i1|*»Wtt^Pitn^^ll^|^ 


ti 


meiit  for  a  wild,  exciting  lif( 


posjUiwij^  \  (iMjaiJAi 


w 


ms  MAGIO  xmsojs. 


wiW,  impulsive  sister,  she  would  now  as  90oa^  think  of 
>  'entering  a  convent  as  passing  her  liftf  there.'      ' "      ^  ? 
'  .      "Yet  you  sajid  it  was  partly  by  her  request  you  were 
going  there  now  ?" 

^     ♦'Yes,  she  expressed  a  wish  togil^ow  you  the  place." 

'  'a  slight  flush  of  pleasure  colored  the  clear  face  of  Drum- 

mond.    "I  don't  know  what's  got  i^to  Sibyllately,"  conr 

tinned  her  brother.    "I  never  saW  a  girl  so  changed. 

-   She  used  to  be  the  craziest  leap-6ver-the-moon  madcap 

that, ever  existed  ;  now  she  is  growing  as  tame  as — as  little 

Christie."  v     ;  ^,. 

'   .     Drummond's  fine  eyes  were  fixfcd  keenly  on  |jke  frank, 

open  face  of  Captain  Campbell ;  byt  nothing  was  to  be  r«id 

there  more  than,  his  words  contained.    With  a  peculiar 

smilelhe  turned  away,  and  said,  cjarelessly  : 

And  who  is  this  little  Christid  to  whom  you  refer  ?" 
"  She's  the  protege  of  tjie  old  lady  on  '^he  island — fair  as 
thedream  of  aq,  opium-eater,  enchantin^as  a  hotiri,  and 
wit®he  voice  of  an  sm  angel."  | 

"  Whew !  the  bold  Campbell,  the  daring  descendant  of 
old  Guy  the  Fearless,  has  lost  bis  heart  at  last !"  laughed 
Willard  Drummond. 

"  Not'I,"  answered  Gny,  carelessly.    "  I  never  yet  saw 

*  the  woman  who  could  touch  my  heart,  jind,  please  Heaven, 

•  never  will.** 

"*Well,  here's  a  wonder-^  young  man  of  three-and- 
twenty,  and  never  in  love  !  Do  you  expect  me  to  believe 
•uch  a  fable,  my  good  frien<|  ?" 

"Believe  or  not,  as  you  Will,  it  is  nevertheless  true.** 
^  What--do  you  mea.n  to  say  you  have  never  felt  a 
i^hol  the  grande  passi(m-4-ihe  sVightcst  symtom  of  that 
Infectious  disorder?" '     '    /  ■'■■•-■- ' .  -/  ■  ,    ■  -  ■■--  V>^0p^^^-'' 
**  Pooh  I  bdyish  fancies  g;o  for  nothing.    I  bftve  inow 


n 


iiij^ffi&is. 


T^'' 


TT'^-^JS 


/«f 


pssr  xAOia  iobsoiil 


■cm 


vndthen  felt  a  queer  sensation  ajbout  the  r<^ioii  of  my 
heart  at  the  sight  of  sundry  faces  at  different  times,  but  as 
for  being  fatally  and  incorrigibly  in  love,  never,  on  my 
honor!"  .' 

"  Well,  before  you  reach  the  age  of  thirty,  you'll  have 
I  aidiflferent  story  to  tell,  or  I'm  mistaken." 

^*  No ;  there  i^  no  danger,  I  fancy,  unless  indeed,"  hC' 

added,  fixing  his  eyes  quizzically  dn  Drummond's  hand-' 

I  some  face,  "I  should  happen  to  meet  this  little  enchant- 

|ress  you  spoke  of  awhile  aigo."     ".'-X  / 

A  cloud  pissed  over  the  brow  of  his  companion  ;  but 
lit  cleared  aiyay  in  a  moment  as  a  quick,  light  fpotstep  was? 
Ihcard  approaching,  and  the  next  instant  Sibyl  Campbel^,- 
Ithe  haughty  daughter  of  a  haughty  race,  stocji  bright,  dais- 
■zling,  and  smiling  before  them.      '  (/  7    ^ 

No  one  ever  looked  once  in  the  face  of  Sibyl  Ca«^p- 
Ibell  without  turning  to  gaze  agwn.    Peerlessly  beautiful 
las  she  was,  it  was  not  her  beauty  that  would  startle /you,. 
Ibut  the  look  of  wild  power,  of  intense  daring,  of  ierce 
|pas§ioas,  of  unyielding  energy,  of  a  will  pov^erful  for  love' 
)r  hafe,  of  a  nature  loving,  passionate,  fiery,  impulsive,  ^ 
and  daring,  yet  gentle  and  winning.  |  /         \ 

She  might  have  been  seventeen  "yeaifs  of  age— cer- 
ainly  not  more.    In  stature  she  was  tall,  and  with  a 
Sform    regally    beautiful,  splendidly  developed,  with   »i 
[haughty  grace  peculiarly  her  ,own.    Her  face  ^as  per- 
fectly oval :  her  complexion,  naturally  olive,  l^d  been- 
[tanned  by  sun  and  wind  to  a  rich,  clear,  gipsyish  dark- 
[ness.    Her  hair,  that  hung  in  a  profusion  of  lopg.  curls,  , 
[was  of  jetty  blackness,  sjBffe^^^^      the  su n  fell  .on  jit,  bring-  ' 
mg  out  red  rings  of  fire.    Her  large  Syrian  ey(^,  full  of 
[passion  and  power,  were  of  the  most  intense  blackness «   . 
h4ve  now  v'^Biew  flashing  with  sparks  of  light,- and  anon  swiiomibg  ia  A 


'-if 


^ 


: '  '>s 


^^ 


f.. 


h 


i;.- 


Ml  JMOMT  liiaMft 


f  1 


%|9i<l  t«i4if»cjiin>    HAT  Ikiyl^  Mdi  lam  wUgH  kpr** 
iME^Qi^e,  %  «»>wft---«ifflaii9)3P  it  1^  lt«  jwiclettnct 

.  ture  in  her  fade,  was  small,  witji  full,  ripe,  red  lips»  vivaJi-^ 
iif0\n  Moani  |]|«  4e«!p  «< imsiSHii  ^  Inter  cMtrl^  elwelia 

Her  dress  was  hk»  bcfaeUh^oild,  acul  pkttHcat^^a^  ecu* 
>  >fcltiil|r  «lmilifi!rt9}ciftfir  bladr  Mik, »  bodies  of  erlmson, 
Yf]iT«i,  wiih  9^lt  biUtQAs^    SIm  hftid  l«  oont  iutad  a  Maek  ' 
if^b^  ImrM  With  »  L««gi.  MNreeptagr  pknwi^  swtngti^^  i|, 
fiJE^y^y  by  the  strings  as  she  aui»  itOipaM  thoia.  | ' 

3li»iiwftn  tHapge,  wi!t^4ooJKtoy  €>feait»iir«v  altogttti»i^r; 
i9fe#t  vouMb  ftrsk  afeiilfe^wi  «iigis«rv«Hr  ivaft  Imht  quMoljr ' 
9l  pside^  feMf  li«lt]r  ll^itteii^  her  alinosi  uamnAur^hlm 
:-$jmi^m9i.   Wwt  kf»  niilMwIiiig  pfkloi^ «»  well  a»  h»t  «ww 
uprising  beaaty,  the  haughtjr  little  ktii}]rh«d  cubtaimd^  ev«« 
In  (!)KtldhoiQ4  t^e  ttitle.  ol  "  CftteeA  ef  the  isle^''    And 
qimsf^  sh«s  k¥»lKed,  witli  he»  Qjobiie  bri^ir,  her  isshiagr^ 
^kM»oi»i^  eje«6»  %!««  daiiQty;,  cudrring  lips^  her  giaceful,  stat^ 
FjiEMMqiiiie  fona^ln,  ^f^kfjf  ssmos  ot  tim  womA  "'a  quMsi  «t 

4.9/1:1  W^lai^d)  I>«u,»i»iQ!9i4  pftflsioaatr  admitef^eC  fcMutyi^ 
as  he  was,  what  thoughl  he^ol  i!hi»das«liQg  eveatmro?-  lltii| 
l«»«ed  9f^tigelil^ly^  still  a^«i«stth»tafii!all,  w^h  his:  eyes 
%e!i  <iiii  ^  spairkliiag,  su^abri^hfe  facc^  noting  every  loole 
«^d  gfstuR^  ««  «m#  mij^bfi  ga0»  «m)i  9i(»a»»  sfevan^e)  Iwautiiadi' 
dQ4^  haOil  tn  $mr,  he^  in  tfixm,  kut:  ^Ats»^  i»  adiaixar^ 
X^h  bfi^  ]«ved  kw^  Off  thiQliight  h^  diil ;:  and  gmi^ 
n'v^  him  osii  tka  Qctpoljit  waves,  whitn;  the  sol«aha.  stars 
st)tP9i»  seironel}^  abio^ra;  t^tk,  h«;  hadi  toM  her  a^  and^  she  hadi 
bilJk;*^^  him.    Aq4  9to%  wtild^  imtut^iMred  cJW  «l  Qi»«««af 

^TT^r^  <tiwi  w^  *;wgTWWpr  ^|Jil.^■l|i^pil^  ipiP  ■ 

gwgt^«ri(UlimMbtog  !<!»!»  for  Urn  i^at  fillisdi  Imht  tepii|i» 

ymim}mm^ 


mi 


Vti 


\  mm  M^m9  M^mm   ' 

rrot,  as  to  others,  a  mere  part 
Of  her  existence ;  bu|^whQl»>n»  ' 

TlnftvWJfWQrbif^t^^otJjerlinw^"       ^ 

►  ahft  «d!v»fte9(^  Wiilayrd  X]Ur(i«ioftc»!d  started  up^  au^ 
^  Weleorn^'  bM»k^  li^  $ibyl    I  iWugiii  tk»  wal^lii 

pnybureye^"  ,    /  i, 

iHow^  yowi  pi«i9iM!»  Si^xjrl  I?  ai^d  Captain.  CwipBell^ 

Bowii  compliments  very  tiresome  soraetioMSk 

'^1^^W]^  wors«^  I  ^ng^  9,toad»^'  ihii  SLasmt^di  in  «  pecu- 

^F^nMifiiGal  voica    <*I  do.  aiot  ^hvBkk  he  will  Uye  lo,  sq» 

le  narrow's  sua.    IBSi  ra^^jog^  «re  Itightfql  to  litear— 

Eift{^f»U»teQ]?«Bda9em9>»  \m  weighing  kvok  <Ui>wa  a» 

^  Aft«»^  iJba  JuioguA  sokI  i&  an  awful  posa^Kioa  foi 
guilty  man,"   sa^  C^pliaia  Caiftpbell,  tl>ou»hilwa.]^ 
•  Thi^<»n,  be  soapethedt  <wref  <iU«¥>g  life,  but  w^fupft  one 
'^n^esjt'O.dieBRr.'^ 

^^5lMg^  feel  wlnafr  iretcibuAive  jiHtice.  V9^  |  sisf^Me^"  ^aij( 
>ruia«>aad,  in,  IMa  castomauy  careless  t<^e ;  «  aaa  apropos 
|f  tha^,  somebody  wilt  sufie^  «effi;ibl.9  HQmQrs^^M^  tf^ 

Hie|sps*«,ligblty^ii6iftb%bal«  iwlfl^:  bwlfc  SIM'%li0b 
Ued  i^wliM^^ai%  as  9bie  e3M>l»»itii#(i,:; 

"  Ai|i  old  astrologer,  or  enchanter,  or  w^aaicl  ^t  4(INM> 


Improbil^ble,  so  utterly  absurd,  in  short,  that  I  wmnx  Ukmt 
Saljbi«k»ekk>  ^^ 


'-■Ik 


1   a5 


1 1 

1 


w 


\Sr 


i'Wp" 


ttiB  MAQIQ  MiBBOk 


i^    "  You  are  not  fool  enough  to  believie  such'  nonseni|i^  I 
hope,"  said  Captain  C^pbell.  .  /         )>         V"; 

,  M  "I  dQn't  know. as  it  is  nonsense.  *Thefe  are  more 
things  in  heaven  and  earth  than  are  dreamed  of  in  philos-^ 
ophy,'  you  knpw." 

'*Y^ — I  was  sure  you  would  quote  that ;  everyone 
does  that  when  he  advances  some  absurd  doctrine ;  but  |c& 
all  th^  gireatest  stuff,  nevertheless."  |   '  /.. 

,  : "But'did  he  tell  you  teho you  were  to  be— ** 

SilO'^l  sti?pped  shorts  {even  in  jest  sh^  could  not  jpfo^l 
nounce  the  wordtw^^         ^'  ;    j 

"  Murdered  t>y?"  iw^d  Willard,  qui^ftly  ^finishing  t^e 
sentence  for  her.  **  No,  he  told  me  nothitig.  aI  saw  it  alll^' 

*'Sawit!    How?    I  do  not  understand-" 

"Oh,  the  story  R  hardly  vjrorth  relating,  and  ouglit  not 
to  be  told  in  the  pr^^qce  of  such  a  skeptic  as  Captain 
Guy  Campbell,"   s»id ^runaraond»  running  lM|finger*, I 
lightly  through  his  dark',  glossy  locks./  ^s     "^^  : 

'    "Heaven  forbid  I  should  wait  to  pe  inflicted  by  it!'|i 
said  Captain  Campbell,  starting  up.    "I  will  relieve  yoij 
of  my  presence,  and  allow  you  to  ecitertain  my  supersti-l 
tious  sister  here  with  your  awful  destiny,  of  which  sU<f^ 
will  doubtless  believe  every  wprd.^'  t 

"I  should  be  sorry  to  believe  anything  so  dreadful," 
said  Sibyl,  gravely  ;  "  but  I  do  think  there  are  someigiftpd 
ones  to  whom  the  f  utu  re  has  been  reyealed.  I  wish  I  coulC 
meet  them,  and  find  out  what  it  has  in  Store  for  me/'      X\ 

"Let  me  be  your  prophet,"  said  Druromond,  softly.^ 
"  Beautiful  Sibyl,  there  can  be  nothing  but  bliss  for  in 
angel  .like  you.'*  '  ^        _    '  " 

■    Her  radiahTfacTfluWed  wttirpfidCI^^ 
at  his  words.  ■    ,t  ■■  ■' ^,.,^'',:L  ■'-,,.,■:      ;■■■.<>:;.;■■./ 

" Do  you  believe  in  omsBiV**si«i  saidigbKugbliigly. 


,'-M 


t;?,Sl^^^|*^|^ 


jP^ipS^ypTSy^''^"  s* 


fi 


saw  it  all^-' 


THB  MAGKf  MimOB. 


■m 


P' See  how  blij^hdjiand  bdutifully  fonder  moon  is  Hsing  t- 
'*|6^y,  il^itreaiihes  the  arch  pf  hcavea  tinclduded)  I  shall 
Blievc.ybur  prediction."  .-'• 

Even  as  she  spoke,  a^" dense  cloud  passed  athwart  the 
ky,  and  the  inoon  was  obscured  in  darkness.  ^" 
Tlie  dark/i|jright  face  of  Sibyl  paled  at  the  dread  omen, 
^nvoluntarily  her  eyes  sought  Dru^mmond's  who  also  hafl 
en  ga:;ing  aiiithe  sky. 

"Hei^ci^#ejft  the  omen  !'\she  cried,  with  a  shudder. 

'Oh,  Willaiind^^e  unclouded ^moon  grew  dark  even  whiie 

spoke."  .     ' 

"And  now  the  cloud  is  past,  and  it  sails  on  brighte^r 

in  ever,"  he  said,  with  a  smile.    "  See,  fairest  Sibyl,  al 

Is  calm  and  peaceful  once  more.    My  prediction  will 

Verified,  after  ^lll" 

She  drew  k  deep  breath,  knd  looked  so  intensely  rel 
b^ved  that, he  laughed.  Sibyl  blushed  vividly,  as  sh( 
■%id:'  ■/'':'■:'  I    ■ 

*fl  know  yon  must  think  me  wa^k  and  childish  ;  but  ll 
superstitibuif  by  nature.     Dreams,  inspirations,  and' 
presentiment^,  that  no  one  else  thinks  of,  are  All  vivid 
ililies  to  me.    But  you  promised  to  tell  me  the  German 
herd's  prediction  concerning  your  future^  sOj  pray,  gp 

"Well,  let  me  see,"  said  Willard  Drummond,  leaning 
is  head  on  Jbls  haidd.  "  It  is  now  three  years  ago  that  a 
ilebrated  jBgypiian  fortune-teller  visited^  the  town  in 
ermany  where  I  resided.  His  fame  soon  spread  far  and 
ide,  and  crowds  of  the  incredulous  came  from  every  part 
'  visit  hin).    Hejcould  not  speak  a  word  of  any  tanjj 


fjKhrsdwnn&Mlhehadan^^ 
Iking  n^cessaryi  which  was  vei^Hlei,  ■  ^ 

**  I WM  then  fti  a  i^ebrated  university  ;  and,  iri^tiK» 


^1" 


.ii».'.»ai;ii4'j^v 


It  /'  1 


I*™  not,  ''ke yoa,  bright  Sibyl,  BWurallTiltMWtA 

»k.t«,  gritetag  skuih  that  we^  «aS  •te^fiL^'? 

•«»  with  Xa^^l^  «**''  *^  «•  »<*w* 

"'  '^"■r  -hut  f  urn  .iT  T^^*^"  **.>^'*11^ 


«^*^^I8SS5^ 


i:i»* 


it 


gij»VTT 


r^  .^' 


i^. 


^  ««  ttakn^ii  #r*  ^•'^ w«t«»rti4K  some  **Jlr7"  *°'*'^ 

»'ooffti„«!ri_frr*'"' people,    Plo-,«Jf'""*^<>» 
i^^STXv^!!  ^'^^'y*  then  it  feZlJ"      ^onds 


A 


^C;v*£ 


^i- 


ma  MAQJO-MlIUtOJl 


1 


tfie  faces  of  m  wedded  palr'tumed  for  an  instant  toWard 
me,  and  in  the  bridegroom,  Sibyl,  I  b<ilield  myse^.  tb© 
yapor  lifted  and  lifted,  until  all  was  gone,  and  nothing- 
Was  to  be  seen  but  the  black  walls  of  the  room  and  the 
glowing,  fiery  coals  in  the  caldron.  ' 

/  -  «  Again  the  Egyptian  Ihrtwr  the  incense  on  the  fire, 
Mid  again  miimbled  his  unimelligiblc  jargon.    Again  the 
thick,  bla<s£  smoke  arose,  ^ling  the  room ;  and  again 
became  stationary,  iforming  a  shadowy' panorama  before 
ine.    This  time  I«aw  a  pri8on-cen^^r|c,  dismal,  and  noi- 
some.    A  rough  straw  pallet  stood  on  one  side,  and  on  the 
;  Qther  a  pitcher  qf  water. and  aMr--orthodox. prison  fare 
from  time  immemorial.    On  the  ground,  chai^jeii  to  the 
Ufall,  groveled  a  woman,  in  shining  bridal  rbb^s,  her  long, 
midnight  tresses  trailing  on  the  foul  floor.    No  words  can 
describe  to  70U  the  ptter  despair  and  mortal  anguish 
depicted  in  her  crouching  attitqde.     f  stood  spell-bound 
tp  the  spot,  unable  to  move,  in  breathless  injterest.    Then 
tM^scene  began  to  fadeaway ;  the  prostrate!  figure  lifted 
itr!iead,,and  I  beheld  the  face  of  her  whoJn  a  moment 
before  seemed  to  stand  beside  n]{e  at  the  ahar. 
words  of  mine  can  describe  to  |||(u  the  mo£l 
u;iutterable  despair,  in  that  haggard  but  hprnti 
Sibyl  ^^Sibyl !  it  will  haunt  me-  to  mji  dyiog\ay.    I  puf 
<>»^tr'Py 'W4f  as  il^to  retain  h^r,  but  in  thai  Instant  iOl 

^^"ard  Drammond  paused ;  this  titiie  '^ 

^''^^IM^^^nd  h|j8  eyes  were  "w^ild  and  excite^' 

^^  ^HfrlP^"'  **l&lf i**  black,  mystic  eyes  dilate<| 

^^^"7  pW^lp^or  fadll^Wom  her  face,  leaving  even  h# 

lips\as^j)file«>.'death.  ■:•.,,.:■  V- 


hc'tfairdrtime^ 


tr~wenf 'througfi" 


1. 


^•M^,>V,?. 


^  i«i^  ^rprnqny  ^before,:;  contiiwe(!H«»|  *^  wd,  ••  Ul    ^^B^  WHy  J 


^v 


■■V  -». 


3 


&. 


*J«iAu»ci«es,  a  ne,v,sceic  appWred  before  me.   NoU 

Sr^^'  ^  '""*"'  «"™  °'  lightning,  and  thunder 
«idja».,„as  rag,„g,a„d  the  trees  creaked  and  tent  il' 
the  fie^e  ,v,nd  On  the^fpund  lay  thi  dead  ba^  df " 
^ap  weltering  in  blood.  A  darit,  crin„on  streaVflowed 
frotn  a  great.  frlgl„ful  gasfe  tn  his  head,  fron,  Zl^Z 
We  ««n,«l  ,„«  to  have  gon^.  A,  the  ^hiee  fa^e  of  tto 
m„rdered.,an  was  upturned  to  tl.e  light-cut.  bl"dy  and 

/IS  Heaven  hears  me,  I  saiv  it  as  plainly  as  I  see  vonrf•.r^    *•    J 
P4le,  /a.r  moon  ■,<>*.-,  A  white,  ghost l/ form,  ThedT^'f  ^ 
woman  <,r  spirit  I  kno\„o,,  seemed  ho.erinfr  nlr  Irt      '^ 
tag,  af  It  were,  in  and  ou\mid  the  trees.    E,^*n  T!'^ 
.UR^.Wj,;and:shad6wLn.U.U  wasgot  Z-  .*^ 
"For  the  fourth  and  last  ti^e.jhe  E^ypiiaf  rhr,-  . 
st«„ge  incense  on  the  Bre.  and ' spoke, I^JCsof  X*r- 
and  a  new  vision  me.  my  horrMed  gaze.    I  secmedTte- 
hold  im  immense  concourse  of -people  a  vasi^^ 
i..g  to  and  Uo  in  the  wildest  ei^l™,.    A  1^^^ 

•!h!m    7^T*r  ""''  ''^'' '"""  ™''=d  '<>«»  object  above 

hem     I  looked  up,  too,  and  beheld  a^gh»  tliMsiZIS 

fr«z,ngthe  very  blood  in  my  veins.    It%vis  a  ,iT^ 

■   rhU^w'^T  '"■:'"'  '""  ■s'o.niniou.  hXr  ro:5ti- 
•  "hite  bcauirful  neck,  wiis  rtc  who  had  Mood  beside  m^  -' 

the  altar,  whom  I  M  seen  chained  ■il^rmW^i? 
d,»med.  to  die  by  .the  ha„d<rf  the  puWfe  iLw^^w-- 
■    3er  beautiful  hand,  were  W,eu:hS^  oS  wlwrii!^' 
■ngly.  to  the  crowd  below,  who  only  hoo-Th-'rif 
.  agoay  and  de..n.i.     t-  -— ,.ti  .n.riu  U    ^J'.^" 


'  t'^a 


>^..... 


%■ 


J 


)r        ^■ 


-v 


U' 


i^H? 


"^fw*- 


f 


-V      'S^N-        i 


jpiTisr  jf^oict  MiHBbn. 


kX  .. 


saw  the  interpreter  beckoniog'tne  from  the  door.    How  I' 
reeled  from  the  r90tfCV|th  thrpbbing  broiv  and  feverish 
pulse,  I  know  n^t.     Everything  seemed  swimming  around 
me  ;  andj  in  a  state  of  the  wildest  excitement,  I  was  hur- 
tled home  by  my  companions. 

**  The  next  day  the  Egyptian  left  the  city,  and  where 
he  went  after,  I  never  heard. 

**  Such  was  the  glimpse  of  tJie  future  I  beheld.  It 
was  many  mont lis  after  before  I  completely  refeovercd 
from  the  shock  I  received.  How  to  account  f<^r  it  I  do 
not  know.  Certain  I  am  that  I  beheld  it,  truly,  as  I  have 
told  it  in  every  particular,  for  the  impression  it  made 
upon  ^e  at  the  time  was  so  powerful  tliat  everything  con- 
nects with  it  is  indelibly  engraven  on  my  mctnory?  It 
may  seem  strange,  absurd,  impossible;  but  that  I  have 
nothing  to  do  with  ;  I  only  know  I  saw  it,  incredible  as  it 
seems.  But,  good  heaven !  Sibyl,  dearest,  are  you  ill — 
fointing!"  .  \._,---^ 

i  I  Pale,  trembling,  and  ejjcited,  the  once  fearless  Sibyl 
Cainpbell  clung  to  hi^arm,  white  with  vague,  sickening 
horror.  Superstitious  to  an  unusual  degree,  au  awful 
prosentimenl  had  clutched  her  heart ;  and,  for  a  moment 
•be  seemed  dying  in  his  arms,  " 

"Sibyl !  Sibyl  1  my  dearest  love  !"  he  said,  in  alarm. 

.•♦whaiis.it?"  ^         :;■,-■•.;'■;'"  -■;■;-■'       >.     \    '-■^\ 

•♦  Nothing— nothing,  *'  she  answered,  in  a  tremulous 

voice ;  "but,  oh,  Willard  I  do  you  believe  the  prediction  ?" 

"  Strange,  wild  girl  that  yty  are !  hag  this  idle  talk 

frightened  you  so?"  ho  said,  smiling  at  her  wild,  dilated 

eyes.'  ';  '■'■'■■''    '-  ":     r  ^ 

--~^li  it  should  prove  inieT^she  said,  coveH^glier  tniBt 
wfth  a  shudder.    "  Willard,  tell  me^r^  you  believe  it  Y* 
^Hy  dark^eyed  darling,  how  cao^  1  tiAi  whether  to 


.^'A^  .x..:a:.^  [Vi 


irt-l    i",t'    -,.  .-1.  1  ■-    ';■ 


"l^^  XAOW  MIBROR 
^^' Bu^  wm„d,  aid  any  pf  hi,  other  predietionj- proy, 

uuc«ii  procession,  and  himself "  robeH  f^r  ^k- 
lying  in  the  coffin.    Five  weeks  «ftlrK  ?    ^'^^ 

shot."  '^ '^®^^'^s  after,  he  was  apcidentalljr 

to  war?nff  ?^  ^''  """^  ^°  *  ^"^  ^>W  «>«  of  way,  as  if  ' 
TAu  ""^^i^™^  approaching  danger.  ^*        ^ 

x^vw«i|«^  2^0yl !  4  Campbell  of  the  JqI-  fr««»Ki- 
thus  ^  imaginarv  dan^r  »--thrii!         ,  1?     "^®™**^^"«^ 

'- r  r ' '™" " -- « ■'^o':^- -f,^  "^ 

ihe  color  came  proudly  back  to  her  cheek  at  hi.u.^ 
tenng  wort,.  a„h,  »ud.  mo«  co.dly  anfr,!?! ''"»"• 
tor  my«l,.  ,  could  lewr  tremWe  ;  buTfori--   ' 
bhepau^Hl  and  her  beautiful  lip  quiverol 

I  had  ne.rly?o»l,rn  „,rh^r^"""^-     W^X. S%1. 

■*  ^J^    ^.      '      ;  '    4-fc     '  •     '^^t'  "      i  i    'f.    »  *  y     '  ^* 


1        "V? 


V 


n 


•-T-  ,  ■■;•" 


^v) 


B8 


ri®   MAOW  MIRROR, 


\\t 


Promise  me,  now,  you  will  never  think  of  it  more — much 
less  Bpeak  of  it."  '   -    "" 

"  Tell  me  one  thing  more,  Willard,  and  I  promise— only 
one,"  said  Sibyl,  laying  her  hand  on  his  shoulder,  and    , 
looking  up  in  his  face  earnestly,  while  her  voice  trembled 
in  spite  of  all  her  eflforts. 

«•  Well,"  he  said,  anxiously. 

"  Did  you  recognize  the  face  of  the  person  whom  you 
saw  beside  you  at  (the  altar,  and  who  afterward  died  on 
the  scaffold  ?" 

He  was  silent,  and  looked  with  a  troubled  eyd  out 
over  the  shining  waters.  ^' ' 

"  Willard,  dearest  Willard  !  tell  me,  have  you  ever  yet 
seen  her?" 

'      "  Why  will  you  question  me  thus,  dearest  Sibyl '" 
'    "Answer  me  truly,  Willard,  on  your  honor." 

"Weil,  then,  dearest,  I  have." 

Sibyl  drew  Iicr  breath  quick  and  short,  and  held  his 
j^;    arm  with  a  convulsive  grasp. - 
'   '       '•  Who  is  she  i"  she  asked. 

Willard  turned,  and  looking  steadily  into  her  wild, 
L      searching  eyes,  replied,  in  a  thrilling  whisper: 
\  •'     «*  You,  S\hy\— your 


** 


(     ' 


Ti/i?    J/AAJACa    CURSE. 


^■^ 


4/ 


CHAPTER  III. 

THE  maniac's  curse. 


■■  ^  1^ 


,c-i 


*•  Her  wretched  brain  gave  way,  ' 

j  And  she  became  a  wreck  at  rand(»n  driven. 

Without  one  glimpse  of  reason  or  of  heaven.^ 

^  LallA  RqbKB. 

THE  schooner  Evening  Stair  lay  at  anchpr  in  a  little 
(ock-bound  inlet,  on  the  northern  svidC  of  the  island 
previously  referred  to.  A  boat  had  just  put  off  from 
her,  containing  Captain  Guy  Campbell,  Mr.  ivillard  Drum- 
mond,  Sibyl  Campbell,  arid  the  sick  pass^enger,  Richard    -,,i'i 
Grove.   He  lay  on  a  sort  of  mattress,  half  supported  by  Cap- 
tain Campbell ;  and  in  ihe  pale,  cold  moonlight,  looked  yvait' 
and  emaciated  to  a  fearful  degree.     The  features,  sharply 
defined,  were  like  those  of  a  skeleton,  and,  in  their  ghasily 
rigidity,  si^nied  like  those  of  a  corpse.     But  life,  intensely 
burning  life,  shone  in  the  \Yild,  truubleid  eyes.    Willard 
Drummond  ^nd  Sibyl  sat  talking  together,  in  low  tones, 
at  tiie  6ther  end  of  the  boat,  fearful  of  disturbing  the 
dying  man.  '  ,-       A  . 

As  the  boat  touched  tlie  shore,  Drutpmond  leaped  out, 
and  extended  his  hand  to  Sibyl ;  but  the  wild  sea-nymph, 
declining  the  needless  aid,  sprang  lightly  out,  and  stood 
b'iside  him.  I 

The  figure  of  jt  woman,  who  had/ been_standing  on  a, 


rock,  watching  their  approach,  now  came  forward,  ex- 
claiming delightedly :         .      t         /         ,       ;     \^^- 
*' Laws'a-massy,  MissSi%|l    Who  cVcr  s'posed  iye^d 


^n^^iv- 


\ 

y 


lo 


TBB  MANIACS   0VB8E. 


see  >ou  here  a(gain?    Where  hev  you  been  to  this  Ion? 
time?"  *^ 

,  .  "My  dear  Mrs.  Tom  !"  said  Sibyl,  smilingly,  holding 
but  her  hand/;  "  I  am  delighted  to  see  you.  Where  I  have 
b^nftB  a  trc^ublesome  question  to  answer,  seeing  I  have 
been  almost/ eyerywhere  you  could  mention."' 

*'Law^;iow!  hev  you?  'Spect  you  had  nice  times 
sai'lin'  rouhd,  though  it  does  seem  odd  how  you  could 
stand  all  ^  s^sickness  you  must  have  come  through. 
'Tain'  eWy  young  critter  would  do  it.  But  then  you  alius 
was  different  from  most  young  folks.  Jemimi !  how  you^re 
grow<Sd,Jftn'  how  handsome  youVe  got !  Jest  as  pooty  as 
fe  jpicter  i  An*  that,  I  s'pose,  is  young  Master  Guy  !"  con- 
tinued the  loquacious  new-comer,  eagerly,  as  the  young 
cftptaii^  leaped  lightly  ashore. 

Sil^yl  nodded,  and  blushed  slightly,  as  she  encountered 
fheg^zeof  Drummond,  who  stood  watching  Mrs.  Ton\ 
with  &  half-smiJe  of  amusement  on  his  fine  face. 

"/MswKtr  Guy  !"  said  the  officious  Mrs.  Tom,  bustling 
forward  ;' "  you  hain't  forgotten  your  old  aunty,  I  hope  ? 
My  gracious !  you've  got  as  tall  as  a  hop-poU)  Growed 
out  c*  qiy  knowledge  altogfether !"  / 

.  7  "  Why,  Mrs.  Tom,  Is  it  po/sible  r  exclaimed  Captain 
(SfHy,  catchihg  her  hand  in  hi^  hearty  grasp.  "  Looking  as 
young  and  smart  as  ever,  to6,  and  as  fresh  arid  breezy  sig 
a  May  morning!  'Pon  nVy  word,  I'm  delighted  to  sec 
you  looking  so  well !  Hoftr  is  pretty  Christie  and  Master 
Carl'?**  ■.       '  ■  .  ■   I  ,  '  '     •- 

*'  Oh,  Christie  is  well  enough,  and  ^pootier  than  ever  ; 
ahd,  what's  more,  she's  as'  good  as  sh**s  handsome.  i3ut 
Carl —oh,  Master  Guy^l  tftat^ there  young  limh'lljyrgft^  ^y 
heart  yet !  I  hain't  the^htest  doubt  of  it  Gf  «ll  tilp 
thrif 'less,  good-for-Dotfai^g  lazy-bQfm9^" 


illisi 


-Wi 


/ 


^t 


JiZV   MANlAaa    00B8B. 


-aPr 


"Oh,  well,  Mrs.  Tom,  he'll  outgrow  that  The  best 
thing  you  can  do  is  to  let  me  take  him  to  sea  with  me  the 
next  tim/l  go,  and  that  will  cure  him  of  his  laziness,  if 
anything  will.  In  the  meantime,  I  have  a  patient  for  you 
to  take  c  ire  o^  if  you  have  no  objection.  He  can't  last 
much  loi  ger,  poor  fellow,  and  you  are  a  better  atirse  than 
Sibyl.  What  do  you  say,  Mrs.  Tom?  Shall  I  send  him 
up  to  your  house  ?"  ' 

Mrs.  Tom  was  a  brown-faced,  black-eyed,  keen-lopk> 
ing,  wide-awake,  gossiping  little  woman,  of  four  feet 
high,  with  a  tongue  thatiould,  and  did,  say  sharp  things 
sometimes  ;  bi^t  with  a  hekrtso  warm  and  large  that  it  i» 
a  wonder  boW'  it  ever  found  room  in  so*  small  a  body.' 
However,  I  haye  been  told,  as  a  general  thing,  little  peo- 
ple are,  by  far,  cleverer  and  warmer-hearted  than  their 
tall  neighbors— as  if  nature  were  anxious  to  atone  for 
their  shortened  stature  by  giving  the^  a  double  allowance 
of  heart  and  brains. 

Nursing  Was  Mrs.  Tom's  peculiar  element.  Nothing 
delighted  her  more  than  to  get  possession  of  a  patient, 
whom  she  couid  doctor  back  to  health.  But  unfortu- 
nately this  desire  of  her  heart  was  seldom  gratified  ;  for 
both  Carl  and  Christie  were  iso  distressingly  healthy  that 
'•yarb  tea"  and  "chicken  broth "  were  oply  thrown  away> 
upon  them.  Her  frequent  visits  to  the  mainland,  how- 
ever, afforded  her  an  opportunity  of  physicking  indis- 
criminately certain  unfortunate  little  wretches,  who  were 
always  having  influenza,  and  measles,* and  hooping-coughv 
and  other  little  complaints  too  numerous  to  mention,  and 
which  tied  before  Mi*s.  Tom's  approach  and  the  power  ot 
her  "  yarb  tea."    Oflate  there  had  been  a  "  plenQtul  «CTr-  ^ 


citv 


even  of  these  escape-valves,  so  her  eyes  twinkled 
°ow  wifh  their  deligiit  at  the  prospect  ol  this  godsend. 


m^ 


'm£im' 


f!'    I' 

'IS!  ■ 


n.^ 


^j-       ^J  TSBMANIACB   CORSE.  -■■"\.: 

'  «  Se^d  him  uji  ?    Sartinly  you  viU,  Master  Gay.    I'll 
t^e  care  of  h|m.    This  here's  the  best  road^up  to  the  side , 
Ot  the  rocks  ;  tain't  so  rough  as  it  is  here."        ^ 

u**H'^*'""P'"^'*  Captain  Campbell  to  the  sailors 

bo  had  rowed  them  ashore.     '•  Gently,  boys,"  he  said,  as 

jhe  sick- man  groaned.    "Don't  hurt  him.     Follow  Mrs 

romtohercottage-^ttiafsthe  way.    I'll  be  down  early 

to-morrow  to  see  him,  Mrs.  Tom.    This  way,  Drummond ; 

fallow  me     1 11  ,bid  you  good-hight,  Mrs.  Tom.    Remem- 

ber  mfc  to  Christie."         "  •      :•;•-.        j 

And  Captain  Campbell  sprang  up  the  rodk^  folIoWed 
^  bibyl  and  Drummond,  in  th^^irefction  of  Campbell> 

%■^:)^rs.  Tom,  with  a  rapidity  which  the  two  sturdy  sei- 
mea  found  it  difficult  to  follow,  burdened  as  they  were. 
,  walked  toward  her  cottage.  ■       ■      ■\ 

-  The  home  cf  Mrs.  Tom  was  a  low,  one-stoiy  house, 
coiisi$ting  of  one  large  room  and  bed-room,  with  a  loft 
above,  where  all  sorts  <5f  lumber  and  garden  implements 
were  thrown,  and  where  Master  Carl  sought  his  repose. 
A  garden  in  front,  and  a  we|l-graveled  path,  led  ^  to  the 
front    door,  and   |nto   the  apartment   which   served  as 
kitchen,    parlor,    dininglroom,    and    sleeping.room    for 
Christie  and  Mrs.  Tcjm.     The  furniture  was  of  the  plainest 
description,  and  scanty  at  that,  for  Mrs.  Tom  was  poo- 
JO  spue  of  all   her  industry;  hut,  as  might  be  expected 
from  so   thnft^  a   housewife,  everything  was  like  wax- 
worK.     Thesmall,  diamond-shaped  panes  in  ihe  windows 
Hashed  like  jewels  in  the  moonlight  ;  and  thclloorsand 
chairs  were  scrubbed  as  wlihe  as  human  hands  cou4d  make 

uomimVy  cuItivated^T>y  Carl.^ut  really  by  Mr^  XW 


^ 


*i 


i  ^JSCy   MAjUlACa    CVBSB.  j 

who  preferred  doing  the  wdrk  iierself  to  watching  het 
lazy  nephew.  /  ^  . 

As  the  men  entered  Vith  their  burden,  Mrs.  Tom  threw^ 
open  the  bed-room  dooi-,  and  the  sick  man  was  deposited 
on  the  bed.  Lights  w^re  brought  by  Carl,  a  round-faced, 
yellow-haired,  sleepy-lijoking  youth,  of  fifteen,  Wh  dull 
unmeaning  blue  cye^,  apd  a  slow,  indolent ,  gait ;  the 
very  opposijf  4»  everV  way  of  his  brisk,  bustling  little  aunt. 
"  Be-otf  ^th  yoWto  bed  !"  said  Mrs.  Tom.  "  It's  the 
best  place,  for  any  bne  so  lazy  as  you  are.  Clear  out, 
now,  for  I'm  going  io  sit  up  with  this  here  sick  man.  and 
want  quiet."  / 

»*  ^^*'^  ^''•^®°-  y»"i"&"ess  Carl  shuffled  off,  leaving 
Mrs.  Tom  alone  with  her  patient. 

The  little  won/an  approached  the  bed,  and  looked  at 

his  pinched,  sallow  features  with  an  experienced  eye.  It 
was  evident  to  he/r  he  could  not  survive  the  night. 

"I  wonder :i/  he  knows  his  end's  so  near  at  hand?" 

''^It  ^-J"^  T  ^^'■'^'*-  "^^  «"«'»'  to  know,  anyhow, 
111  tell  him  when  he  awakes,  'cause  it's  no  use  for  ibe 
tryijig  to  do*ankhiiig  with  him."    *  .  .:.; 

J Jfe  man  wsis  hot  asleep.     As  she  spoke  he  opened  his 
large,  wild-lojiking  black  eyes,  and  gazed  around  vacantly 

"Mister,"  began  Mrs.  Tom.." I  don't  know  your  name. ' 
but  raint  no^dds.    Dp  you  know  how  long  you  bavft.^Q. 

"How-Ung?"  said  the  man,  looking  at  her  with  ^ 
gaze  so  wil<^  that,  had  Mrs.  Tom  been  the  least  bit  nerv- 
ous, would/have  terriUed  her  beyond  measure. 

"  Not  three  hours,"  said  Mrs.  Tom  gravely, 
uiaif  '^A     "'^^  ^^^''  Q^^f^P^g^  the  f^cft  nf  th>.  ^y;nc 

♦So  i^  r  eh,  Heaveo,  so  soon  I"  he  murmured,  <* and 


p*' 


5  > 


riii  MAmAcrs  vusim. 


'  withBll  unconfcssed  still.  /PcaiTnot  die  with  tills  erhne 
on  my  soul.  I  must  reve4  'h®  miserable  secret  that  has 
eaten  away  my  very  life."/ 

Mrs."  Tom  listened  to  diis  unexpected  outburst  in  won- 
der and  amasement.        / 

,  "Liisten,"  said  the  ii^an,  turning  to  Mrs  Torn,  and 
8p^kii>g Tapidiy  in  his/excitement.  " One  night,  about. 
thirteen  yeaips  agfo,  as/l  was  returning  hottpb  '^om  mf 
day's  la'bor,  I  was  overtaken  by  a  violent  stor&.  I  was  a 
considerable  distnrice  from  home,  and  tfitere  was  no  house 
i««Mr  «riidre  I  could  remain  ffer  the  night.  It  was  intensely 
dark,  and  I  8iaggered4)lindry  along  in  the  drenol^ii^  rata 
jiptil,  by  aisuddeh  fljish  oflightning,  I  chanced  to  espylh^ 
ruins  of  an  old  housfc,  that  had  long  been  <|eserted.  Thanfci. 
ful  even  for  this  refuge  from  the  storm,  1  entered  it,  and, 
retreating  into  a  cbrheir,  I  sat  on  an  empty  box  wajtthg 
for  tbe  tem'plBSt  toatftite.  7 

*•  Suddenly  I  heard  the  sound  of  voices  in  Wadjoining 
room,  talking  iiy  low  whispers.  There  were,  art  the  tiihe» 
certain  •  suspicious  characters  prowling  about,  iiiid  th^ 
''unexpected  so^nd  startled  me.  Still,  I  felt  fhfey  might  be 
onfy  weather-bound  wayfarers,  like  myself ;  but,  before 
joining  them,/l:thought  it  might  be  prudent  to  discovei^ 
Who  thisy  Were,  and  I  cautiously  drew  near  the  wall  to 

"The  partition  dividing  us  was  thin,  ^d  fn  the  lull  Of 
the  storm  I  could  catch  here  and  th^e  a  fev  words  of 
their,  conversation.  /    . 

-'     "  '  I  tell  you  hfc  kilted  himseli^said  otie.    *I  saw  h{^ 
He,stabfeed  him  to  the  heart ^th his  knife^^       '^y     ;  -    . 
;  *•  ♦  What  does  he  intend  doin^  wfth^  ?'  Here  a  suddeit 
'•^4  o/  wjgd  ftodjiL^  Hie  from  bearing  vfimt  t 


'i-% 


4  I  J». 


,~k\  W' 


is^'v'r '*'y'^?^j 


TBB  MANiAoa  ousas. 


^ 


,V-4 


.^ 


"  *  And  serves  the  jade  right,  too,'  were  the  next  words 
^  heaid.  ■ '  She  might  have  known  what  it  was  to  rouse  the 
anger  of  that  devil  incarnate.' 

"  'VVIiereare  we  to  find  this  fellow  he  wants?'  said 
the  second  voice.  '^  ^^■ 

"  *  At  Minton,  on  the  coast,  half  a  mile  from  here.   HijS     -J 
name's  Dick  Grove.    I  know  him.'  ^^  .  ' 

"  I  started  in  alarm,  as  well  I  might,  for  the  name  waa 
mine. 
.   "  '  How  do  you  know  he'll  agree  ?'  -  m. 

•"If  he  doesn't,  said  the  first,  with  an  okth;that  madQ 
my  blood  run  chili,  J'a  little  cold  steel  will  settle  the  busi- 
ness. But  the  terras  are  easier  than  that ;  he's  to  be  weljl 
paid  for  holding  his  tongue,  and  "as  he's  a  poor  devil,  he'll 
40  anything  for  money.  Oh,  he'll  agree ;  there's  notj-ou* 
bie  about  that.'  ♦ 

"  The  increasing  noise  of  the  storm  now  drowned  thcix; 
voices  altogether.  I  stood  for  a  moment  rooted  to  did 
gronud  with  terror.  That  some  terrible  crime  had  been, 
or  was  to  be  perpetrated,  in  which,  by  sajtne  moans,  I  >Ta3 
to  be  implicated,  I  plainly  saw  ;  and  my  only  idea  oov 
was  to  escape.  I  started  forward,  but^as  my  unlucky  4ate 
would  have  it,  I  stumbled  in  the  darkness  and  le:U4)eavily 
to  the  ground  with  a  violence  that  shook  the  old  house. 

"  I  heard,  as  I-lay  half  stunned,  an  ejaculation  of  alarm 
from  the  inner  room  and  quick-^otstepffapproaclung 
where  I  lay.  AH  was  now  up  with  me,  so  I  scrambled  to 
my  feet  just  as  two  men,  wearing  black  crape  masks  over 
their^faces,  entered.  Each  carried  pistols,  and  one  held  a 
dark-lantern,  the  light  of  which  flashed  in  my  face, 

"  'Wbo  are  you,  sir?'  fiercely  exclaimed  one;  aad  I 
saw  him  draw  a  sword  that  gaadje  my  blood  curdle^ 


:..^J#feF'- 


^^f^w^i'Wi 


fc^A    jC^ 


TfliP   MANIACS    mrRSB. 


*' I  essayed  to  answer,  but  my  teeth  chattered  so  With 
•terror  that  I  cou|d  nojr  utter  a  word.  / 

*'  •  Ha  V  exclaimed  the  bther,  who  all  this  time  ha^  becB 
hpJd^^g  the  lantern  close  to  my  face.     •  This  is  the  ve©| 


were  in   search  of.     Your  name  is 


fellow  we 
Grove?' 

I*  'Yes,'  I  managed  to  say,  quaking  with  mortal  fear:'  • 
"•You  are  a  mason  by  trade,  and  live  in  Mintonr 
said,  or  rather  affirmed,  ray  fierce  questionor. 

«t  replied  in  the  affirmative,  for  I  saw  there  was  no 
use  in  attempting  a  lie..  '  ^" 

*•  'AH  right,  Tom.    You  go  for  the  carkfee  ;  I  will 
take  care  of  our  friend  here  until  you  returtf.'    ."  * 

«  The  one  with  the  knife  left  the  h6use,  and  the  other, 
drawing  a  pistol,  the  disagreeable  click  of  which  made  me 
jump,  sat  ^own  Before  me,  keeping  his  eyes  immovably 
rivited  on  my  face.  I  did  not  dare  to  move.  I  scarcely 
dared  to  breathe,  a?  1  stood  with  my  eyes  fixed,  as  if  fasci- 
nated, on  the  deadly  weapon.  Nearly  ten  minutes  passed 
-|ha»  in  profound  silence,  when  the  sound  of  caryia're- 
wheels  was  heard  ;  and  the  instant  after,/the  man  calfed 
TomVntcred,  bis  mask^  oflf,  but  his  hat 'pilled  so  far  down 
over  hi^  eyes,' and  his  coat-collar  turneSso  far  up,  that  I^ 
coum  see  ^thing  but  a  pair  of  dark,  sinister  eyes.  I 
"' The  carriage  is  here,' he  said.     1  .^ 

"  'Tlien  go  on ;  and  y^iu,  my  man,  follow  him—I  will 
walk  behind.' 

"I  did  not  venture  to  utter  a  woitl,  and  was  aboul 
going  out,  when  he  called  ftie  back,  cxckiming: 

*MI  came  near  forgetting  a  very  ndcSsary  precaution. 
Here,  my  good  fellow,  let  me  l;ie  this  bandage  over  youn " 

eyes.' :  -  -    ■  ...,.■     f 


^ 


li"^ 


'S. 


,  ,< 


TBtt  MANiAva  ounaa. 


8T 


he  very  coolly  proceeded  to  tie/^a  handkerchief  tightly  ovcr^ 
mye^M.      -  /      »  .^  .^       .'■ 

"  *  That  you  had  better  not  know.  And  hark  ye,  friend, 
ask  nc^questions.  Least  said  soonest  mended.  Move  on, 
Tom/     ^^.  ,  --- 

"Holding  my  hand  to  prevent  me  from  falling,  my 
guide  4e4  roe  out.  I  felt  myself  assisted  into  a  carriage 
and  placed  in~Tseat.  One  of  the  men  got  in  after  me^ 
and  closed  the  door  ;  the' other  mounted  the  boXf  and  off 
we  drove.  " 

"\  am  quite  sure  they  took  a  Ippg,  roundabout  way 
and  went  here  and  there,  in  various  directions,  and  came 
back  to  the  same  place  ag^in,  to  make  me  believe  tl»  dis*^ 
tanc^  was  much. longer  than  it  really. was.     For  nearly^ 
an  hour  we  drove  thus,  and  then  the  coach  stopped,  and  X 
was  helped  out.      I  knew  I  was  on  the  shore,  for  I  could 
hear  the  waves  dashing  inward,  and  foaming  and  break* « 
ing  over  the  rocks.    Then  they  assisted  me  into  a,  boat,  ' 
which  was  pushed  off  and  rowed  rapidly  away.     The  boat 
was  large  and  strong,  but  it  tossed  and  pitched  drea^fully 
in,  the  heaving  sea,  and  1  was  forced  to  hold  on  watttihe- 
grasp  ordesperation  to'the  side.  ;        f 

"  I  am  sure  we  were  fully  two  hours,  tossing  thus  on 
the  surf,  wher^  the  hSat  struck  Ithe  shore  so  suddenly,  that 
I  was  thrown  forwa^'d  on  my  fkcfe  in  the  bottom.*  With  a 
loud  laugh  of  dprisij6i\,  the  men  helped  me  up  and  assisted 
me  to  land,  and  tl^en  conducted  me  up  a  long,  slipperyr' 
beach  until  we  reajbhed  a  hard  road.  We  walk.ed  rapidly 
on  for  nearly  a  quarter,  of  an  hour,  and  then  I  heard  a 
key  turn  in  a  rusty  lock,  and  I  was  led  into  a  house. 
Taking  first  the  tirecauiion  of  locking  the  door  after  him, 
-joay  guiclfcled  me  thrrtughia  long  hall,  up-a. -longer  wiftd*- 
mg  staircase,  as^  through  another  hall,  and  up  two  other 


,,_  •-  3  <s^^'' 


J<V.' 


:w-  ■ 


~ 5-T-**!r-r*7*V-\ 


.'^l 


i^; 


TB»  if!41flAda  OVBBB. 


f- 


flighcs  or  stair  I.    It  seemed  to  me  he  would  iicver  stop 
when,  at'JAst,  I  heard  him  open  a..daor,  thrust  me  in  and, 
retreat  again,  locking  the  door  after  him.    . 
'•       *'.My  firsT-care  was  to  tear  oflf  the  bandage  and  look 
A«ound  i  but  the  room  was  so  intensely  black  I  could  see 
npthmg.    The  darkness  could  be  almost  felt  as  J  thrust 
:    out^my  hand  and  essayed  to  wajk.     I  had  not  advanced  a 
dozen  steps,  when   my  foot  slipped  on  some  wet,  slimy 
s«bstancc,  ftnd  I.fpll,and,j5truck  violently  against  som<i 
thing  lying  on  the  floor.    .Trembling  with  horror,  I  put\ 
out  my  band,  and-merciful  Heaven  !  I  shudder  even  now 
to  tliink  6f  it-it  fell  on   the  cold,  clammy  face  of  a 
corpse  f"  -  ^  ■ 

_^    "Laws^i-mi^ssy!"    ejapulated  the   horror-struck    Mrs 
Tom,  as  the  dying  man  paused,  every  feature  codVMlsed 
at  the  recollection.  \  7 

-^^•Uhink  I  fainted,"  he  went  on.  after  a>ause,  t-fgr 
■^ben  I  next  recojlect  anything,  I  was  supported  by  my 
,f»asked  conductor,  wh<s  was  sprinkling,  or,  rather,  dash- 
lug  handfuls  of  water  in  my  f&ce.  and  there  was  a  lifi^Kt 
bi^rmog  in  the  room.     I  looked  ground.     There,  on  the 

t\l^  '^^'^'"'^  ^""^^  ^'^'^  "**"•  weltering  in  blood, 
which  flowed  from  a  great,  frightful  gasii,  in  his  side'" 

^^  The  siglit  nearly  drove  me  mat^foflsprancr  with  a 
WiM  cry  to  my  feet.  But  my  conductor  laid  his  "hand  on 
my  .shoulder  and  said,  in  a  tone  so  fierce  and  stern  that  1 
q^uailed  before  him : 

"Hark  ye,  sirrah,  have  d6ne  with  this  ciward^  ^,01^ 
ory,  or,  by  heaven,  you  shall  share  the  same  fate  Af  htm 
yotf  see  before  you  !    Nomatter  what  you  %ee  to-nlirHt, 
Jjeak  not,  nor  ask  any  questions,  under  peril  of  insmnt 
demfe.    If  you  j><irfoim  your  riuty  faitbfutlj>y-thfa-<toiH?g- 


K 


fmt  ^fAMJACrs  QUBBM. 


As  he  spoke  tie  displayed  a  purse  filled  up  with  bright, 
yelJow  guineas. 

"Before  I  could  reply,  a  shrielc  that  seemed  to  cojne/ 
from  below  resounded  tlirougli  the  room,  a  shrieic  so  full 
o{  i^ild  horror,  ftnd  ang;utsh,  and  despair,  that  ^ven  my 
companion  gave  a  violent  start,  and  stood  as  if  listening 
intenily.  As  for  me,  my  very  1  i fe.blood  seemed  cu rd  1  ing 
as  the  wild,  piercing  cries  of  agony  came  nearer  and  nearer. 
A  heavy  footstep  nscen$led  the  stairs,  and  I  could  hear  the 
sound  of  some  body^  being  dragged  up,  ^    •      > 

"  Closer Bnd  closer  came  those  appalling  screams,  and " 
a  man  entered,  maskld.  likewise,  dragging  ^ter  hin^the 
convulsed  form  of  a  ypung  girl.  -^  ^ 

^  "  To  this  dfty  I  have  never  seen  a  more  beautiful  crea- 
ture,  fj|<^twitfifitandiBg  her  face  was  distorted  with  fear  and 
horror.  As  she  entered,  her  eyes  fell  on  the  form  of  the 
dead  man  on  the  floor.  With  supernatural  strength  she 
broke  from  the  man  who  held  her,  and  bent  for  an  insunt  > 
over  Che  lifeless  body.  It  sufficed  to  tell  her  he  was  quite 
dead;  and  then,  throwing  up  her  whUe  arras,  she  fled 
round  the  roonf,,  shrieking  as  I  never  heard  any  living 
being  shriek  befowj;  Great  Heaven!  those  awful  cries 
are  ringing  in  my  ears  yet.  .— 

«  The  man  wBo  had  led  her  in  sprang  forward  and  caught- « 
her  by  both  wrists.    She  struggled  like  one  mad,  but  even  " 
the  unnatural  strength  of  frenzy  failed  to  free  her  from" 
his  iron  grasp.    I  could  see  her  delicate  wrists  gfovv  black 
in  the  cruel  grasp  in  which  he  held  her.  .     ' 

"  The  man  beside  me  said  something  to  liim  in  a  foreign 
tongue— French,  I  think-to  which  the  other  nodded' 
I!!^^!!!  l^J"^--^^-^^"'"^^  ^!'^°  wen^and  unlocked  ^J 


Vo 


t  -\J 


V 


■''      ■^,;^'l    ■  'r' 

■•  '1  „         '  ■ 

•-Ic.-.^- 


'.  ly 


.w 

I 


..    ^    ^ 


5-^iftj^jr^vv 


■h' 
■Si";  ■< 


W 


4» 


fws  MANiAcra  ounaE. 


he  drew  forth  a  great  heap  of  bricks  and  mortar,  and  all 
the  itnplemj^nts  necessary  for  building  a  wall. 

"  A  light  began  to  dawn  upon  me.     rhe  body  of  t^a 
murdered  man  was  to  be  walled  up  here.  °  j 

i^  "  My  suspicion  was  correct.  Making  a  sign  for  mi  to 
assist  him,  the  man  raised  the  head,  and  not  daring' to 
refuse,  I  took  the  body  by  the  feet,  and  we  carried  it  iLto 
the  inner  room,  which  proved  to  be  a  small  dark  cl<|>set 
without,a  window,  and  with  immensely  thick  walls.  EVen 
in  ray  terror  for  ipy  own  safety,  I  could  not  repress  a 
feeling  of  pity  for  this  murdered  youth— for  he  was  dnly 
tt^boy— and  the  handsomest  I  ever  sawi 

**  AH  this  time  the  womap's  wild  shrieks  were  resound- 
ing through  the  room,  growing  louder  and  Ipuder  dach 
moment,  as ^he  still  struggled  to  free  herst^lf  from; his 
hold.  All  in  vain.  He  forced  her  into  the  inner  roi>m, 
but  before  he  could  close  ^the  door  she  had  burst  dut, 
and,  clasping  his  knees,  screamed  for  mercy. 

"He  spurned  her  from  him  with  i  kick  of  his  heivy 
hopt,  and  then  she  sprang  up  and  spat  at  him  like  3ne 
possessed  of  an  evil  spirit.  Flying  toUhe  farthest ,  cor. 
ner  of  the  room,  she  raised  her  right  hand  to  Heaven, 
crying,  in  a  voice  that  might  have  made  the  stoiitest 
heart  quail :  ?^  f*   -^      .  ^ 

"  ♦  I  eurse  you  !  1  curse  you  !  Living,  may  Heavfen's 
wrath  follow  my  curse— dead,  may  it  hurl  you  into  eternal 
perdition!  On  your  children  and  on  youi'  children's 
Children,  may- — *  ,, . .      ,      .     _  > 

"With  a  fierce  oath,  he  sprang  Upon  her  ere  she  could 

finish  the  awful  words  that  pealed  through  the  room 

Jlke  Jhe  last  triin^p^^a^  her  bythe  throat,  huricd 

her  headlong  into  the  dark  inner  room  where  the  murdered 

miMft'lay*      Then,  closing  the  m^88ivt  oaken  door,  and 


/. 


■'•t- 


V 


TEB  MAiriAcra  cimsB. 


4t* 


locking  it,  he  turned  to  me,  and  speaking  for  the  first 
#ime,  commanded  me,  in  a  voice  fairly  convulsed  with 
passion,  to  wall  up  the  door.  , 

"  I  would  have  prayed  for  mercy,  l^ut  my  tongue  clove 
to  the  roof  of  my  mouth.  The  man  beside  me  saw  my 
indecision,  aijd,  catching  me  by  the  aL-m,  said,  in  ar  stern 
whisper:        >  *•>. 

"  Fool !  do  you  want  to  share  theiJ  fate  ?  Do  as  you 
are  told !        '  '  - 

"  I  shrank  from  the  crime,  but  life  Was  dear  to  me,  and 
I  obeyed.    As  men  work  only  for  thdir  lives,  I  worked 
with  those  two  mysterious  masks  looking  on.    All  was    ' 
still  as  the  grave  within  that  closet-dooii  now.    Once  only 
I  heard  a  sound  as  of  some  one  trying  Jo  rise,  and  then  iJ^ 
heavy  fall— and  I  worked  on  with  redoubled  eliergy. 

"Not  a  word  was  spoken  by  anyV  us  in  the  deep 
silence  of  the  solemn  midnight,  in  whict  the  awful  crime 
was  perpetrated.  - 

"  It  was  completed  at,  last ;  where  ijhe  door  had  been  - 
was  a  wall  of  solid  masonry,  which  :«^!death-cries  could 
never  penetrate.  j  -^ 

"  •  It  ip  well !'  said  he  who  appeared  io  me  the  superior. 
'  Give  him  the  reward  I  told  you  of.' 

•'  The  otiier  silently  handed  me  the  i^urse.  5 

And  now  swear  never  to  reveal  w^hat  you  have  this 
night  seen  till  your  dying  day  r  jx  -    ' 

''•  I  swear  r  said  I,  for  I  dared  not  /efuse.  • 

'"That  will  do.  Take  him  away>  said  the  speakef. 
leavmg  the  room. 

j:uide  bHndfoldftd 


« 


My  gu 


jnfcji&.JLfaad  been  befof^  »p#- 


led  me  out,  locking  the  door  on  the  awful  secret.      ■  v  t 

"As  I  had  been  brought  up,  I  w^  led  to  the  beach. 

Tho  boat  was  in  waiting^  and  I  was  taken  away,  landed. 


*'^^ 


l.\ 


/•- 


ras  MAsuvs'  ouasg. 


»:.•. 


?onv<^  .„,o  <he  carriage,  which  for  upward  of  half,* 
ho«r  drove  round  «>me circuitous  route.  Thea  /!»/'* 
sisled  out  and  left  standing  alone     I  tore  th!.  h    ^ 

IrtlfraJnT,:;  -eardordiscovered  aught  utorf^fThe' 

morose  and  dreaded  man.  t1„  ,  t«;^;J"  r'n^^T.^ 
Jand,  but  noth,n,f  ever  could  banish  from  my  «rs  thlt 
woman  s  dytag  shrielts  and  despairing  eyes.     ^  ^ 

tocotald  n'  ''T  "'•  '  ''"  '  *""  ""«'  "d  "anted 
Wcomeand  be  buried  in  my  natiVe  land.    Captain Camo- 

Wl  brought  me  i.,re.    And  noivtha,  I  havetXa^I  I^n 

up^Xe.:^d^-tot:i^?2^:^ 

With  a  scream  almost  as  wild  as  his  oirn  UtTtL 
sfarted  up  and  looked.         ^  ^  '      '^*'  ^f"* 

^^  A  pale,  wild,  woeful  face,  shrou<|H  i»  wild  tilacfc  hair 
was  glued  for  a  moment  to  the  glas^and  tl«,p  was  goae'" 
^^^aralyzed  w.th  terror,  Mrs.  Tom  turned  to  the  sick   ' 

from  their  sockets,  and  he  was  d^d.  F,"truamg 


"t 


.  "U   •  ■'>>.     , 


^_£r">  ' 


'^^•h 


^-i?  ■ 


Sf^SJf   HAUNTSD    BOOHf 


5  "^    ■  -  ,. 


CHAPTER  IV. 

tHE  HAUNTEp   ROOM.  -^ 

.         "'What  form  t«  thai !f 

^e  ftony  cleiicbing  of  thai  bared  teefh— 

•Hie  gory  socket  that  the  balls  have  burst  frwn— 
I  seff  them  all,  ' 

It  moves— it  p^}T9s— it  rises— it  comes  on  me." 

/  Bertram. 

UNDER  the  guidance  of  young  Guy  Campbell,  Wi^-s 
la?yl  Drummond  aod  ^ibyl  ascended   the  stee^ 
rocky  path  leading  to  Campbell   Lodge.     Cap- 
tain Guy  bounded  over  the  rocks  with  the  agility  of  a 
deer,  while  his  two  companions  more  leisurely  followed. 

"  Yonder  is  my  island-home,  old  Campbell  Castle," 
said  Sibyl,  as  an  abru^  tfirn  in  the  rough  road  brought 
tliem  full  in  vlfew  of  thqf  mansion-house,  ^'  \\  is  nearly 
three  years  now  since  I  b^ve.seen  it.'**    j 

Both  paused  as  if  invo^iintarily  to  pon^einplaie  it.  Years 
and  neglect  had  p^rf^rmed  their  usual  Woi^  of  destruc- 
tion on  the  lodge.  The  windows  were  brbilten  »«  many  * 
plaees,  and  the  great  g^te  before  the  house,  h|j|ng  useless 
and  fallen  off  it  rusty  hinges.  The  coarse,  red  sandstone 
of  which  It  had  been  oHginally  built,  was  now  black  i^ith 
age  and  the  many  st|G»rms  that  had  beat  against  it.  No 
lights  were  to  be  s^n,  no  smoke  issued  from,  the  tall 
chimneys,  all  looked  black,  gloomy  and  deserted.  Tlie 
swallows  had   built /their  nests  in  the  eaves  and  mined 


gRBIes;~an^evcnTH¥  tall*  dailc7  8^^ 

an  avenue  to  t;he  dijlapidated  gate-way,  had  a  forlordN  and 

dismal  Iodic.    In  ijhe  pale,  briglit  moonlight,  the  rdi 


^2**'  2SB   HAUIfTED    ROOIL 

''        ■  :     "       ■       ''.    ''■■[' 

homestead  of  ihe  Campbell^Jookect    cold,  Weak,  and 

uninviting.  Even  the  long,  gloomy  shadows  from  the 
Trees,  as  they  lay  on  the  ground,  seemed  to  the  supersti- 
tious mind: of  Sibyl,  like  unearthly-hands  waving  them 
,a\vay.  She  shuddered  with  a  chill  feeling  of  dread,  and 
clung  closec to  tlie  arm  of  Drum mond.      -       i 

•■Quite  a  remarkable  looking  old  place,  thiis,'^said  the 
young  man,  gayly.  "Really  charming  in  its  gloomy 
grandeui-,  and  highly  suggestive  of  ghosts  apd  rats,  and 
other  vermin  of  a  like  nature,"  while  he  inwardly  mut- 
tered:  "iVismal  old  hole;   ev^  Sibyl's  bright  eyes  can 

'hardly  recompense  me  for  burying  myself  in  such  a  rick- 
ety dungeon."  ^  \ 

•*  It  has  not-a  very  hospitable  lo6k,  I  must  say^"  said 
it?  ^ouogr  mistress,  with  a  smile ;  "  but  in  spite  of  its  for- 

. bidding  aspect,  I  hope %e  will  be  able>\by  some  means, 
to /make  your  stay  here  endurable."  \  •     • 

y  -    **  A  desert  would  seem  a  paradise  to  me  with  you  naur 

I  by,"  said  Drummond,  in  his  low,  lover-like  tdnes.  "My 
only  regret  is,  that  our  stay  hete  is  destined  to  be  so 
shbrt."  •  •       ^ 

,      The  dark,  bright  face  of  the  young  island-girl  $ashe<h 
with  pleasure ;  but  ere  sfafB  c^uld  reply,  the  hall-door  was 
thrown  open,  and  Captiiin  Campbell  stood,  hat  in  hand, 
before  them,  , -S  .     f 

'♦Welppme„  to  GampitMjlt  Castle,"  he  said,  with  '  gay 
courtesy,  stepping  aside  to  let  them  enter. 

•t  Thank  you,"  said  Drummond,  bowing  gravely,  while 
he  glanced  with  some  curiosity  aroUt^^d,  to  secjif  the  intcr- 
loyLJooked^mora^iavi ting  than  tbe~cxt»gior,  . 

They  stood  in  a;  long,  wide  hall,  high  and  spacious* 

•  Which  the  light  of  the  flickering  candle  Captain  Campbell 

h«l(^  strove  in  vain  to  illuminate.    At  the  further  extreni' 


*. 


rjETET   JJAUNTBD   ROOX. 


4B 


tty  a  winding  staircase  ro^e  up,  until  it  was  lost  in  the 
gloom  aboye.  Two  wide^  black  doors  flanked  the  hall  on 
either  side,  and  Captain  Campbell  threw  open  that  on  the 
right,  saying :       V 

"This  I  have  discovered,  upon  investigation  to  be  at" 
■  present  the  only  habitable  apartment  in  the  hous^-  Woe- 
fulj«re  the  accounts  I  have  received  from  worthy  Aunt 
MoU^ahd  her  son  and  heir,  Lemuel,  of  the  state  of  the 
chimtieys.  The  swallows  have  built  their  neste  in  the 
only  one  that  ever  did  draw  respectably,  and  all  the  rest 
leak  at  such  a  rate  ever/  time  it  rains  that  the  fire  is  not 
only  completely  es^tinguished,  but  the  rooms  filled  with, 
water."  '  fV 

"  And  what  in  the  world  tiv^  We  to  do,  brother  ?"  asked 
Sibyl,  in  djsmay  at  thiis  unpromising  picture.  ^^ 

"  Why,  we  must -make  the  best  we  can  of  a  bad  bar- 
gain. I  have  sent  Lem — much  against  his  will,  I  must 
.  say,  for  the  young  man  is  dis^reeably  afflicted  with  lazi- 
ness— to  take  the  swallows'  nests  out  of  the  ciiimney  and 
make«  fire  there,  while  Aunt  Moll  does  ull  the  other'  et 
ceteVas  necessary  for  receiving  as  its  inmate  Her  Majesty 
the  Queen  of  the  Isle.  ^  Then,  as  t^cre  is  but  one  other 
habitable  room  in  the  house,  Signor  Drummond  must 
occupy  it,  although  it  has  not  the  most  pleasant  reputatji$»4 
in  th^  world."  i"^ 

^ "  How  is  that  ?"  asked  Drummond,  drawing  up-a  chalp 
and  seating  himself  in  front  of  the  fire,  that,  thinks  to  i^ 
exertions  of  Captain  Campbell,  was  ,alrea4y-bumitig 
brightly  ou  the  hearth.  . 

"  Why,  to  tell  the  truth,  Auntjdoll  and  her  hopeful  wii 
"assert  it  to  l^  hauSia^lTs^Tt  most  probably  is  lyf  ttts. 
If  you  are  willing  to  trust  yourself  to  the  ghost's  mercy, 
lean  f r^ly  ji^romise  yott  safety  from  all  atlur  dmsfcrs.** 


~^f 


»fM 


"^M 


•s- 


9W  BACJUm^  BQOif. 


|l   >  Haunt^'*    By  Jove,  that's  capital  I    I  have  been 
'wbhingal^imy  life  to  see  a  e^cnuine  ghost»  and  io  !  th€ 
time  has  c(]li)ie  at  Inst.     But  what  manner  of  ghost  is 
■    saith  the  legend— fair  or  foul,  old  or  young,  handsome 
hideous  ?'f     .',■'■ 

**  On  tfiat  point  I  am  distressingly  sfaortof  informati< 
Lem's  description  is-  rather  vague.    He  describes  it  as  be- 
ing *  higher  than  anything  at  all,  with  fire  coming  out/of 
,    its  eyes,  long  hair  reaching  to  the  ground,  and  dressed  in 
white.'  "  ' 

'  **Oli  of  course  I"  said  Drunamond^^  "Who  ever  hbard 
of  a-ghftst  that  wasn't  dressed  in  white  ?  'Pon  my  hZn^r, 
Iv4m  quite  enchanted  at  the  opportunity  of  making  the 
acquaptance  of  its  ghosiship."     , 

Dijrin  r  this  conversation  Sibyl  had  left  the  rop^  "  pn 
h68piia|jle  thoughts  intent,"  aod  now  returned  to  announce 
that  $upp«r  ^as  already  progressing  rapidly—mtost  \ife\-. 
come  ticxys  to  our  hungry  genti«mcn.     '  / 

Sibyl  had  taken  off  her  hat,  and  now  _  her  raVen  curls 
fcU/Ui  heavy  tresses  to  her  waist.     In  the  shadtiiV,  those 
glittering  ringlets  looked  intensely  black  ;  but  Vhere  the 
firelight  fell  upon  tJiem,  a  sort  of^red  light  shoiie  through. 
As  she  moved  ihrbugh  the  hi.t'b, .|hadowy  rZotns,  with 
the  graqofwl,  airy  motion  that  loot  a  charm  to  the  com- 
monest action,  Willard  Dnimmottd,  ^ollowii^  bet  with 
his  eyes,  felt  a. secret  ficnfse  of  e^tatipn,  ^Mie  thought 
tlib  !n.vjnificcnt  crcattirc  Was  hi^a^  hi«/alode.    this 
brilfjliti  impassioned   sc4-nynn>lv?  ^hi^  b<:ai/tifiil,   radiant 
duu^hicr  ofanoblc;race;  this  royal^  tW^^doweriess 
island  queen,  loved  him  above  aill  created  beings.     Had 
1^  Tiiji  tcrttrims  m  he  ^ii^red^  in  fierT^         ear  his 
p^s$ionatc  words  of  love,  that  he  was  dearer  to  her  "th»n 
all  fhe  world  besides  ?    Some  dajr  [be  WQ|Ud  m^ke  her  |li« 


tBE  BAUNTBD   ROOM. 


«r 


wife,  ft^d  take  iher  with  him  to  his  princely  home  in  Vir- 
ginia, ;  and  he  thought,  with  new  exuitati6n,  6f  the  sensa- 
tion tTtes-glprious  planet  would  make  among  the  lesser 
star^  of  his  ipative  State. 

Sd  thoji^t  and  argued  Willargl  Drummond  ijuhe 
first  flush  aa^  delirium  of  love. 

He  did  not  stop  to  think  that  he  had  loved  with  even 
more  intensity  once  before  ;  that  he  had  raVed  eVen  in  a 
like  manner  tof  another  far  less  bright  than  this  queenly 
Sibyl.  He  did  not  stop  to  think  that  even  so  he  might 
love  again. 

No.  Everything  was  forgotten  but  the  intoxicating 
girl  before  him,  with  her  sparkling  face,  her  glorious  eyes 
of  jet,  and  her  flashing,  sun-bright  hair. 

From  the  rhapsody  of  passion — from  the  seventh  heaven 
of  his  day-dreams,  he  was  at  last  recalled  by  the  voice  6i 
Sibyl  herself  summoning  him  to  supper. 

He -looked  up  with  a  start,  half  inclined  to  be  provoked 
at  this  sudden  summons  from  his  ideal  world  to  the  vol-- 
gar  reality  of  a  supper  of  hot-cakes,  tea,  and  preserved - 
But  there  sat  Sibyl  at  the  head  of  the  table,  bright  and 
smiling— ■beatuifyinl  even  the  dull  routine  of  the  tea-table 
with  the  charniL  of  her  presenccf'    And  then,  tpo — now 
thai  this  airy  yision  was  gone^Mr.  Wiilard  DrummAid 
began  to  recollect  that  he.  was  very  hungry,  and  that 
"dreams  and  visions"  were,  after  alC  vfery  unsubstantial 
thingsi  compared  with  the  breaH  and  butter  of  eypry-day  ^ 
life,  degrading  as  the  confession  was.  '  '' 

Guy  had  already  taken  hi^  plAce,  so  Wiilard  took  th6 
r^lSe^t^olhled  dWtoTiitiifnnd^        Business 
of  the  tea-table  commeticed.;,v  .  ;  -       -v.*  «i. 

When  the  meal  was  ove^i  Au^twoir  c^red  Ac  table,  1 
and  the  Uiree  gathered  i^ad  Hift  firs^^iv  (hbf^-tbe 


"•■"Mh.:-. 


f1" 


r     • 


;^''7^r''*-'='.1r^^%--  ,«^- 


vi  <  -')' 


« 


TUB   ff Any  TED   BOOM. 


1    ' 


weather  was  waroii  the  grieat  unaired  room  was  chill] 
enough  to  render  the  fire  pleasant. 
.  By  degrees,  perhaps  it  was  owing  to  the  strange,  drearjl 
'  loni^Iiness  of  the  pl^tce^/the  conversation  turned  uponl 
deserted  houses,  bold  robberies,  murders,  and  by  a  naturaj] 
consequence,  upon  ghosts. 

Witlard  and  Captain  ^anipbeli^  seemed  striving  to  out- 
vie each  other  in  telling  the,  rnost  frightful  tales,  the  lat- 
ter taxing  hi|( imagination  to  invent  them,  when  the  orig- 
inal failed  to  'produce  the  necessary  degree  of  horrtflr. 
Every  one  knows  what  a  strange  fascination  such  ghost! j| 
legends  have,  the  hours  passed  almost  unnoticed,  and  it] 
was  only  when  the  fire  burned  low  on  the  hearth,  and  thel 
solitary  candle  guttered  in  the  socket  before  going  out,! 
that  "our  party  became  aware  of  the  lateness  of  tbel 
hour. 

"  Well,  we  have  been  profitably  spending  the  evening,! 
I  must  say,"  remarked  Captain  Campbell,  rising,  with  a  j 
laugti.      "You  should  have  been  in  bed  ^n  hour  ago, 
Sibyl./ Here*  Aunt  Moll,"  he  crjed,  going  tb  the  doorl 
',* bring  us  lights,  and  show  Mr.  Drammond  to  his  room"! 

He  waited  for  a  response,  but  none  came,  otlly  the  echo] 
of  his  own  voice  sounded  dolefully  thr6ugh  the  hall. 

"  Hallo  !  Aunt  Moll,  I  say — Lem,  bring  candles/'  ohcel 
mord  called  Captain  Campbell.  Again  be  waite4  for  m 
answer,  and  again  none  came.  "Confound  it  !**  bit  inut«| 
tered,  turning  away,  "the  sleepy-headed  pair  have  doubt- 
less been  in  bed  for  the  last  three  hours,  and  are  JEissoundl 
as  the  Seven  Sleepers  by  this  time." 
»    "Never  mind,  Guy,"  said  Sibyl,  laughing  at  his  ruefiil| 

,with  their  extraordinary  e:!:enions  this  evening,  and 
would  be.a  pitjr  to  wake  tli«m*'* . 


'fV< 


-*» 


-^ 


fEB  HAXTNWD   BOOM. 


rffV 


\ 


^eqWed  the  room  as  she^spoke,  in  the  airection  of 
the  kitchen,  in  search  of  lights. 

And  pre^sntly  she  reappeared,  ^tid  announcing  that 

lunt  Moll  tvas  stretched  out  on  her  pallet,  before  the 

kitchen^fire,  asleep,  sire  took  herlight,  and  bidding  th^ta 

*  smJttnggood-iiigbt,  le^  them  tp  seek  her  own  root^     ' 

AndlC^ptairfC^fepbell,  taking  a  candle,  preceded  iis 

juest^,j(ic  direc^n  df  the  "  haunted  chamber." 

Wilfard  Drupibionjfl  entered,  and  looked  round,  ft 
Iwas  a  high,  iv%  spacious  chamber,  as  Were  all  in  the 
■house,  with  floors,  doors,-  and  easements  of  dark,  polished 
loafc,  black  now  with  time  and  Use.  In  the  wide  fire-place 
lat  one  end,  a  fire  k^d  been  burning  all  the  evening,  but 
■«nly  the  red,  sraoyldering  embers  remaitted  now.  At  the 
5tb€f»end  of  thejroora,  opposite  the  fire,  was  his  bed,  and' 
letween  them,  facing  the  door,  was  a  deep  dormer  window. 
IThe  room  looked  cheerful  and  pleasant,  and '^throwinir 
Ihraself  into  a*  <?asy,  oW-fasbiooed  afmsBhafr  before  thi 
■nre,  he  exclaSmed : 

«Well^i»  spitefifall  f IW  gllosts  awd  hobgoblins  that 
rer  walked  at  'noon  of  Bight,'  1  shall  sleep  here  as 
Iseand  as  atop  until  morning.  Your  ghost  will  have  to 
Igjve  m<ra  iMrotlj^  vigorous  sbaking  hetntn  I  liwake^  wlie« 
|^»*ee  1  eJoM!  ray  eyes;** 

«  Perhaps  the  ghost,  if  in  the  least  timorous,  Irill  not 

appear  toso  undaunted  an  individual  as  yourself.     May 

lyourdr^sbef  undisturbed  f    Good^nightr    And  placl 

Hi^,  !»^  T  '^*  '****•  ^P*^^°  Campbellleft  the  room; 

I  Willa^d  »  fost  cave  was  b  lock  Ac  door  secuwriy,  ai^ 
eg  cardugy  ejcawMBe  the  r^id.  11mi»  tcaa„jur  dfltar 
»ns dHiigSres* but  the  one  by  whtc^  hehad  eote^i^ 


'     1 


p-T\>-  ^*T'Tn! ■^^wTT-"'^?'! 


It    *  \ 


•  1      .^^^1 .1.1     * 


^2a»  HAVNTED   ROOM. 


■fxK^'^ 


,  fc*. 


<Jown.  Qlcarly,  thcrt.Jf  ihc  ghost  entered  at  alHt  jjpist 
assurtc  its  ghostly  prcl^aiivc  of  coming  thr^ftgh  'the 
kcyhvlo—fcr  ilicrc  was  no  other  meins  by  vvliicli  ir^st  of 
mortal  could  get  in.  \ 

SatisGcd  u-ith  this,  Willard  Diamond  went  to  bed 
but  iM  spile  of  ail  his  efforts  ^Iccp  would  not  con^e.  Vain 
wcrg  all  his  attempts  to  woo  the  drowsy  god;  he  could 
only  toss  restlessly  from  side  to  side,  with  that  f^ng  of 
irritation  which  w:^nt  of  sleep  produces/  ^-^ 

The  moonliglit  streaniing  in  through  the  window  fiired 
the  room- with  silvery  radiance.  The  silence  of  death 
reigned  around,  unbroken  even  by  the  watch-dog's  bark 
Tlic  dull,  heavy  roar  of  the  waves,  breaking  on  the  shore 
pJike  far-off  thunder,  was  the  only  sound  to  be  hcarid.  And 
K  ^  |^t^.  with  this  eerie,  ghostly  lullaby,  WiUardUDrum. 
^\mond  fell  iiijto  a  feverish  sleep.  -. 

y  And  sleeping,  he  dreamed.  He  was  in  a  comfortably 
f'^urnished  home,  and  was  recovering  from  a  seriouJillness. 
Just  well  enough  to  be  up,  he  sat  itt^  chair  maJe  com- 
fortable  for  his  back  by  pillows.  He  fiaU  been  feadin-, 
and,  as  he  saw  Sibyl  enter  the  room  inaneat-fitth^white- 
merino  morning-robe,  he  let  his  book  fall  >©  the  floor 
while  she  dropped  on  her  knees  beside  him,  and,  with  ipv' 
tog  anxiety  beaming  from  her  brilliant y6yes,  glanced  into 

Then  the  scene  abruptly  changed,  and  lie  seemed  wan- 
dcnng  on  the  ver^e  of  a  precipice,  treading  a  path  so  nar- 
row  and  precarioiis  that  a  single  false  step  would  hurl  hita 
to  certain  destruction  down  the  unfathomable  gulf  below. 
Where  that  path  was  to  end  he  knew  not,  but  a  white 

*nd  lips,  went  before  him  and  Ittred  him  on.    An  inward 
f«i^,^ecmcd-wlii8pcri|)g  him  to  b«ware»  that  tbe^xNUixiit 


'♦T,^ 


{  ^^BAUirTED   ROOM. 


m 


t^a.  trading  must  end  in  death  ;  but  the  smiling  eyes  of 
he  goldcn-haired  tempter  were  beaming  upon  hfm  ani 
the  voice  whispered  in  vain.    Above  eVetv  Tr^L       ' 
he  passed,  the  wild  black  eyes  orsYbvl  s^emeH^  ."^^'  ^' 
with  deadly  hatred  and  fierce  malign'^  I^HTT^ 
those  dark,  warning  eyes  could  nofte^Xbatrfrom 
the  road  be  was  treading.    Suddenly  the  siren  vanUed 
h(?  sprang  after  her,  dbd  fell  rfnn,n\i  '^»  vanistied  ; 

awful  gulf  beloxv.  ^  ^own^  down,  down  into  the 

"  A  wild  laugh  rang  out  on  the  air,  and  Sibyl  was  bend 
ing  above  him.  holding  a  glittering  dagger  to  h^h^t 
w Inle  her  great  blaek  eyes  burn.d^ike'^TJo  Lm^s  H^ 
held  out  his  hands  for  mt-rhv  k.^  u  ,  "*""®s.  He 
with  her  deridTcr  M  T^'  ^  ^^^  ^""^^  °»<^*^ed  hid 
witn  ner  deridng  black  eyes,  and  raised  the  knife  tn 
plunge  It  into  his  heart.  ^^^^  me  Kniie  tp 

With^  cry  of  terror  he  awoke  to  find  it  not  all  a  dream  '  ' 
An  icy  cold-  hand  lay  on  his  face.  ^' 

He  sprang  up  in  bed  With  a  thrill  of  horror  to  b«hoM  - 
a  white,  wild  face,  with  vacant  unearthlv  J^        J^      ** 
streaminghairb<i„dingoverhim     '^**'^">^^^^'^<^i^^^^^^^ 

Paralyzed  py  the  suddeti  aooarition    h*  »«.        V.  - 
move  or  speak,  and  ere  rclw  f^  ^L^^  '^^ 

the  ghostly  visitant  was  gpne^  '  °''^  h.s  senses 

He  sprang  out  of  bed  and  *eized  th^  A  , 

locked  as  ho  had  left  i,.  arid,  wUh  Lu  tlood  c:^dlL7: 
stood  rooted  to  the  ground.         •   .  "'""*''°S.-''S., 

^  but  U^r^S'^tin^"-"  »™-n".ood  w«  brivif^ 


f,i 


"^erohpriwa,  lathing  the  placid  rivrt  i»  J(,  «,,  t^  _ 


■'^ 


n  ^ '  • '  7 


rs- 


If 


^»  mori^»8r  star  shone  brighl  and  serene  fn  the  cloudless 

Wue  •kjr  ? W  gwitt^^^^  e«I»  beauty  without,  the 

.gK>»ma^!i^„W  ceased  %  feverish  throbbin^s,  and  he 

vft«gm>  stnying^to  account  %  this  ghostjy  visit  bv  natural 

IBMUIS.  \ 

Bu*  ho  atroW  in  vain.  ^The  door  was  firmJy  locked 
»»4  %h0rte<ml^  be  .o  secrel  passage  tb)rt>ugh  those  strong 
^«i»  waiU  T^o  hearc^,  4nd  careluUy  searclied  ^ery 
crevice  m  the  rooU  that  could^by  any  possil^lity  be  made 
^.  *tw<Ji'^plac«oi\3tiUi^^^  Iherao«^containedno 
ttving  thing  but  hioAselt 

Mom'mg  was  noW  growing  nW  f»  iW'east,  and,  ex.  I 
bau3ted  wuliwatehiBgi  he  threw  him^f  o^  the  bed,  and 
teJIiataad«ep.d!reamleas  steep,  ft^  which  he  did  not''' 
,  <^ake  until  i|ie  sun  was  high  in  the  ^eave^ 

H^  spmo^  hastily.out  of  bed,  Und  pro^«fed  ta  dress 

himself.    And  now  a  new  difficulty  aro«e.     He  felt  he 

WQ«^  beqi»«stioned  abfiut  the  supernat,irai  visitors  of  the 

Mualed  chartiber,  and  he  was  at  a  lostflW  to  answer.    If 

-  Z!   Tt  ^*^*^^^°'  of  th*aight.hedi^dea  the  ridiculeof 

^nbehevittg  Ciptaia  Campbell;  who  would  assuredly 

^SP^^^"^   '"'  being  conquered  in  spite  of  his  boasting  • 

jrtTto  be  Jaughed  ht  in  the  presence  of  Sibyl  was  «ot!o 

^fwH  Ki.  :.''"  '^^  ^'^^  ^"^^  *^*  ^^  °«t  »«»^he 
J^  t»  obUged  to  continue  the  opcupant^f  thfe  haunted 
chamber  wl^ile  he  remained  on  lh« island^  thii^r  he  had 
«©*  tlMslighteat  wish  to  da  7     ^^^^'J^:^^^^^ 

;    Wiateaei  wasfiniahed  befoi*  he  could  eoiietdai^coa. 

^  •  Tt!^  f '*^'*"»  ^  ^^^  ^scn^Z 
s^^ndtat^  iha  •^ting^oo*  ^hey  had  occupied  the 


'# 


'^'f:U'^Y^'-^~  7  'ai^ 


f^\  v\* 


'm^ 


•  \  ■■ .  / ' 


MtJMfwm  corx; 


CHAPTER  V. 

THE  MIDNIGHT  CRY. 

"  And  when  the  midnight4;iour  is  come, 
A  found  is  heard  in  y'onder  hall- 
tt  rises  hoarsely  through  the  sky,        '  - 
And  vibrates  o'er  the  knoldering  wall." 


^ 


"%i 


IN  a  former  chapter,  we  left  Mrs.  Tmn  in  rather  ani 
appalling  sitiiation. 

Accustomed  to  the  quiet  unexciti^  life  of  the  lonely, 
sea-girt  island,  the  events  of  the  night  hadihomentarily  t6r«  "* ' 
rifled  her,  «14>eit  her  nerves  were  none  olOie  weakest.  T;tt« 
mysterious  revelation  of  the  dying/man  ;  his^le  of 
night,  and  storm,  and  cmhe  ;  the  will,  ghostly  face/at  |l# 
window  ;  »|td,  lastly,  his  sudden  death,  were  quite  ekoagti^' 
to  thrill  for  an  instant  with  terror  evln  a  stronger  bean 
than  that  x>f  the  sotitary  old^idow.  { 

For  some  moments  Mrs.  Tom  sa  t  still,  gazing  iltor' 
nately  at  the  window  and  on  the  ghas  ly  face  of  tlie  dead 
man  before  her,  with  a  chill  of  horror  creeping  ©ver  litr. 

The  sudden  striking  of  the  clock,  as  it  chimed  the  b&m  ^ 
of  eleven,  aroused  her  at  last  from  her  trance  Of  terror.  I 
It  was  a  sound  of  life,  and  it  reassure4  her. 

Risingy^  she  gathered  coar^^  to:i{>proach  the  wiAt 
cautiously,  and  looked  out.    Nothing  was  to  be  svea  _ 
the  bright  moonlight,  bathtttg  rock  and  river  in  its  ^Ivg; 


light,    beyond,  she  ^ur<dr  siee  the  huge>  black  pil«~Jr 


Campbell's  Castle,  cftsting  its  long,  gloomy  shadow  ov^ 
the  gnmmL    LIfliits  irsre  still  ttrluyiag  i«  «hsi^tt4DW»4« 


^,t*-*^ 


^'\ 


\ 


♦  l 

'k 


'-it' 


'H 


4i 


$^  mBMkBT  est. 


wink,  though  I  dos-pose  ,ta?S IL    f        u'"^''  * 
Then  Mrs.  Xmi  shook  him  lustilv     T  ..    i  . ' 

BOthin' else  won  "do  iT/^K      ''""  «°'  *•"'•""'•    ^' 
AM  MrTl~?h«°"  r  ""■''''''" '■■ 

•«  «l.i»g  i«  .he  worid  Mttfa-  4  ioM  i^.hT"     ■^°"'- 
waked  you  up."    •  '     ~  "p  mwone  with  a  corpse^  so  I 

«o  get  „p  *i.  ti«e  of  „igh,  „  I  ^J,  ^°:„i:^Vrt7* 


•*o 


;-r-  ^- 


T3B    mAmOHT   OBT. 


f     »..s 


'^k'-' 


^:m 


And  Carl  lay  dovvn,''and  qomposed  himself  for  another     '|| 


nap. 

But  Mrs.  Tern  was  resolved  not  to  be  disobeyed  ;  so, 
dro'ppinpjthe  pacific  tone  she  had  first  iadopted,  slie  very 
summarily  snatched  away  sheets  and  quilts,  pulled  the 
mattress  from  under  liim^  and  overset  poor  Carl  oxiAhe 
floor,  from  which  she  soon  made  him  spring  up  with  & 
sound  box  on  the  ear.  .     ^  ' 

"Now  then,"  said  the  indignant  old  lady;  "tell  OMr 
ag'in  you  won't,  will  ye?  Now,  look  here,  ef  you  »ii^'t 
dressed  and  down  stairs  in  five  mi^nutes,  I'll  come  ba<ik. 
and  this  ain't  no  circumstance  to  what  you'll  get.  Tell. 
me  you  won't,  indeed  !  There's  no  tellin'  what  the  imp!-, 
dencc  of  these  scape-goats  of  boys  'ill  come  to,  ef  they 
ain't  minded  in  time,"  muttered  the  old  la4j  to  herself,  as 
she  descended  the  ladderv  ^  ^*^   • 

Carl's  toxiet,  thus  unpleasantly  hastened,  was  soon 
complete,  and  he  descended  to  the  lower  room  with  a 
very  sulky  face,  and  grumbling  inwardly  atMusJiard  fate 
inbeing  governed  by  so  tyrannical  a  task-mistress. 

"I  don't  «ee  why  the  old  feller  couldn't  have  dl$4 
somewhere  else,"  inWardly  muttered  the.  ill-treated  Mr, 
Henley;  "a  coming  here  and  giying  bother,  keeping  4. 
feller  from  his  sleep  of  nights.     It's  flown  right  mean  !", 

Taking  posSessh>n  of  Mrs.  Tom's  rocking-chair,  vvhile" 
the  old  lady  bustled  about,  laying  out  the  corpse  as  best 
she  could  under  the  circumstances,  Carl  was  once  mor^ 
soon  sound  asleep.  Then,  when  all  she  could  do.  was 
done,  Mrs,  Tom  lay  down  on  the  hard  wooden  sofa,  or 
"  settee,"  as  she  called  it,  and,  in  spite  of  the  presence  of 


death^followcd  her  worthy  nephew  to  the  land  of  dreams. 
^  Morning  was  far  advanced  before  either  awoke.  Mrs, 
ICoiii's  first  care  wi^  io  send  Carl  up  to  the  lodge  to  iik^ 


¥■, 


■j*l ' , 


-r^,    si  „ 


rk 


form  i^  Spates  of  thte  death  of  her  gqest,  and  desire 
Captain  Campbell's  ^mediate  presencCiV^. 

Immediately  after  ^reakfast  the  young  captain  hastened 
*  to  the  cottage,  while  Sibyl  and  Drummond  went  out  for  a 
sbroll  round  the  island^ 

Mrs.  Tom  had  been  anxiously  revolving  in  her  mind 
the  singular  story  told  her  the  night  before,  and  resolved 
to  reveal  it  to  Captain  Campbell  and  learn  his  opinion 
about  it. 

Accordingly,  wheri  he  entered,  Mrs.  Tom— having  first 
taken  the  precaution  of  turning  Carl  out  of  doors^related 
the  story  in  substance  as  it  had  been  told  to  her. 

Captain  Campbell  listened  in  asionishmeni  and  in 
jcmedulity. 

"Now,  Master  Guy,  what  do  you  think  of  that  ?"  ex 
claimed  Mrs.  Tom,  when  she  had  finished. 
'  "My  dfear  madam,"  replied  the  young  man,  gravely, 
"the  man,  excited,  half  crazed,  delirious  as  he  was,  must 
have  >roagined  all  this.  No  such  horrible  thing  could 
have  ever  occurred  m  a  Christian  land." 

" But  he  wasn't  crazy,"  asserted  Ikfrs.  Tom,  almost 
angry  kt  having  the  truth  of  the  story  doubted.  He  was 
just  as  sensible,  all  through,  as  you  or  I.  He  wasn't  foltr 
UfUssL  mite." 

"Now,  Mrs.  Tom,  it's  not  possible  that,  with  ad  r%-  zr 
good  sense,  yoi^n  credit  such  an  incredible  tale.?    ^ 
"But,  Master  Guy,  the  man  told  it  on  his  death-bed 
link  o' that." 

\      "And  doubtless  believed  it,  too'i  but  that  docs  not 
make  it  any  more  probable.     I  have  heard  of  such  cases     ' 

DftfOffe       it  is  Q^t^  ^p^'""^  tQ  ihft  imntri«*'**i--    wv%,m   .1  ■  ,» **  t i 

^^**  ^*  * '**^r^'^  ^'*''*  **  — "*   ^^yT'»*aaa   %^y  T»*»w'''ytajKtif  itttttTiyfTi  "^  y   Fl  ff rmf   I HQ  V 

He  had  fancied  this  story,  and  thought  about  it  j|6  2oo£: 
^,|tat  b9  at  iMt  Mieved  it  hinnBelf."  yn  '. . 


tBX  MlMflQHT   CRT. 


"Well,  {  doii't  know  oothiii'  'bout  ih^  'ka^B^kiatioa, 
thank  fny  heavenly  Master,"  ^id  Mr&  Tom>  i(n  a  tort  of 
sullen  unbelief  ;  *'  but  I  do  knoWj  ef  you  waii  to  ta^k  till 
this  tifne  to-morrow,  you  couldn't  make  me  believe  differ^ 
ently,  T  shouldn't  wonder  How  ef  you  tried  to  make  me 
think  the  face  I  seecyituck  at  the  winder  was.  all  '^tiagin- 
ation,  too." 


"  I  was  juflHpt  to  say  59,"  said  Guy,  repressing  ft 
sraile.  "  It  couTa  be  nothing  else,  you  know.  The  hour 
of  night>  the  thrilling  tale,  and  the  man's  dying  cry  that 
he  saw  her  there^  would  have  made  you  imagine  anything ; 
therefore^——'" 

But  Mrs.  Tom  s  wrath  was  rising.  She  had  been  in- 
wardly priding  herself  on  the  sensation  her  story  would 
c^eai^B,  and  this  fall  to  her  hopes  was  more  than  she  could 
patiently  endure.  .     .     "'        '         'm 

"It'snosich  thing,",  she  cried,  in  a  vx>tCe  louder  and 
sharper  than  she  was  in  the  hiibit  of  using  to  any  one  but 
the  unfortunate  Carl.  "  I  seen  it  all  with  my  two  bleissed 
eyes  <^i^d  nobody's  goin'  to  make  me  believe  it  was  my 
'magination.  'Magination,  indeed  I"  continued  the  old 
lady,  in  a  tone  of  profound  contempt.  "  Thank  my  divine 
Master,  I  never  was  troubled  with  'magination  since  the 
day  I  was  born,  and  'tain't  likely  I'd  begin  now  in  tny 
old  age  o'  life.  I  allers  hid  a  great  respect  for  you,  Mas- 
ter Guy ;  but  I'm  a  poor,  lone  'ooman,  and  can't  stand  td 
be  onsulted  by  nobody.  I  hain't  no  doubt  you  mean  wellt 
but  i  lik^to  hev  people  b'lieve  me  when  I  do  teU  the 
:ruth.    Scat,  you  hussy  !  afore  I  twist  your  neck  for  you*" 

The  latter  part  of  this  o<Tfttioa  was  addressed  to  Trot,  "l 
die  «iottl<^  cat,  and  was  accottipaaied  by  a  kick^  wld^ii^^ 
ejected  that  unofieoding  flsember  orsbciety  out  of  doom 
much  fiiittker  iI»mi-,wm  e^  ell  iig^reeftbl*.  ^  Ci^^«i%<i3«Bipi^i 


j^« 


¥P- 


.> 


IS 


tenldl"!!!  "«i?»-^P»^Wfor  this  bum,  of  cli>quen<«,  lis- 
In^v  Mr    T      '"'-''"i  f '^  ***  first  ojipo;Snii^,;hea 

^   "I  h^inZ^""'  '^Kf'^ld  the  young  captain.  humbl3r; 
W.^  "«  the  remotest  int,srition  of  oflfendin,?  you,  and 

brhfSf^?^''"''^''"^^"^^*^^  '  h^-«  ^-»e"  into  a 
storv^n  ^  Jf '"'  ^  •  ^°"^^°«  everything  ;  and  really  this 
rn?H  f^"""^  '^  in^probable,  that  I  think  I  may  be  par- 
doned  for  not  yielding  it  full  credit  on  the  ^po^  Come 
now  my  dear  mad&m/'  he  continued,  seeing  thex?oud 
s  Mg..^  on  Mri Tom's  honest  face,  "let V be  friend^ 
titi  1  .and  J  promise  for  the  future  to  believe  everythiuir 
you  choose  to  tell  me.  no  matter  what  it  is."         '^'- '"f 

tonfn?  M^"*  '^;;'*^'^«*  »»^  proof  against  the  insinuating 
toneof  ^Master  Guy,  who  had  always  been  her  favorite^ 

«6  the  cloud  disappeared,  and  heroL  cheery  sm^o^^^^^ 
more  beamed  fottl^        -  W'  1  «»»""c  once 

Havihg  arranged  that  Lcm  should  come  down  and  ore- 
pare  a  g,av.  during  the  morning.  Captain  Campbell  ^eft 
the  cotiftge,  and  went^  in  search  of  L.  Drummond  «nd 
bis  sister  to  tell  them  what  he  had  heard  * 

hiJh^vTv^'^  '*°'^"  °"  '^^  ^^«''«-    Sibyl  stood  on  a 
high  cUS,  h^r  dress  fluttering  in  the  morning  breeze  her 

hrnd'hlr  it '"  t"^'  '^""*^"'^^'  ^'''y  tresses'^wavfug  t: 
h^nd  her  hke  a  banner.    The  wincj  that  came  sweeping 

ch^s  and  Upland, ew  a  living  Hght  into  her  glorious 
;Willardgrummond  stood^neath>  gg^jng  jaher^^ 


^ 


^nIf?J        '';^'*'  **^*"^  realization  of  his  most 
beautifui  dreams.    Chptain  Campbell  shrugged  his  shonfc 

iier«cxpr^^v«lyaai,es,w  his  LpassionS^c;  :^^ 


^  '  -  -^  "-V  V'\     '  ''\<  '■'   A.  -l^'Kl^i 


''4^ 


TBB  MWm&ST    ORY. 


thought  inw^fdljr  of  the  corifession  he  had  once  made  to ' 
him  of  there  being  but'  oiie  vromaa  in  the  world  worth 
lovinjg^. 

"  Well,  Sibyl,  one  would  think  )'ou  were  attitudinizioj 
for  the  stage,"  said  Captain  Campbell,  drylj,  as  ^  ap-^' 
pro^ched. 

Sibyl  laughed  gayly,  as  she  sprang  down  oa'the  wbitf^ 
level  sands  between  hex"  brother  and  lover. 

"I  was  only  looking  out  lor  a  sail,  which  I  failed  tclyl 
discover,"  she  replied 

"Well,  Campbell,"  said  Drummond,  "had  your  o|d"J 
lady  down  t^elo'w  any  important  revelsttions  to  make,  tbtf(  ^ 
she  sent  for  you  in  such  haste  this  moroling  ?" 

"  Not  very'iib'portant  in  mly  ^yes,  though'  they  ar^  i^ 
hers,"  replied  the  young  captain.'  She  wished ^to  "-reveal' 
the  dying  deposition  of  our  passerfgdr,  Richard  Grove."  > 

**  And  what  had ,  he  to  tell  ?  Was.  t  right  in  saying 
ren^orse  folr  some  crime  preyed  oh  him  more  than  mere 
illness?*'       -  '     ■    I         '  '  ■   '  '      .■'■'■''■ 

**  Faith,  Sibyl,  tujcbrding  to  worthy  Mfs.  Tool^  I  believe 
you  were*  He  succjeeded  in  frightening  that  good,  but 
slightly  creduloi$  old  lady.Oiit  of  her  witSw"        "  '  ,v 

^  Weir  r  said  Sibyl,  inquiringly. 

Captain  Campbell,  condensing  the  story,  gaVe  Xh 
the  outline  and  principal  facts  in  a  few  words.  ^^iioth.4ls>  '  '^ 
tened  with  deep  interest ;  but  when  l^e  spoke  of  the  i^le^ 
haggard  face,  with  its  dark,  waving  hairj  glkring  at,  theni 
through  the  window, Millard  Drummond  started  violently, 
and  turned  pale.  Sibyl's  eagle  eyes  were  fixed  on  his  face^ 
-and  shcjiloncabscrvcd4t7 


"And  what  does  Mrs.  Tom  take tHishocturnal  visitor  . 
to  be?"  inquired  Sibyl.    "A  mortal  like  hertelf^  or.ftw^i 
•plrit  disembodied  r  .      >       .     ^ 


WJm0ST  OBT. 


/ 


nunt,  perhaps  q|  Ums  womgn  walled  up  ia  perish  in  flm 

^  roo«  with  ihe  i^rdered  man:    Ugh!  SeSc^^^S 

f^^^  «»<>*fe^  «iy*  one  the  nighimareZ  aS^ 

f^tycmhave^^edalVI  beDeverUgoand/send  Lem 
down  to  inter  the  body."  ^  ^         /  ^ 

P'H>t4«l  CfcpWJ  s»itntei»d  a*«^ 
alone.  .  ■  »-  v  .,  7 

inqni^:Mr^^^  ■  ^  think  of  lWssta|y.WiIl^^^ 

H    !w  "^"r^  ^     Yesterday  I  wouldl  ^  joined/your 
brother  in/laygbing  lit  it;  but.  taday-.*^'  /       ' 

■.Hepaiiswi  ■   '■-  -^-H  "■■'  'I''-  ""'^ 

ut^.^^^'^'^^^'^^y  ^'  *>««"Wessly  inqoifed4byh  -^* 
nWhrJ.  •  /       "***  ^^^  «c«dlessiral»rrn  y^,  but  last 
n^ht   4s  If  to  punish  my  presumption.  I  e/perlenced 
sometitiAg  iftry  like  a  supernatural  Vi«iL"     /  0  r 

"GoodHeavens^WilJArdl  Then  the  stoi4  told  by  the 
n^rbes  is  true  ?"  { 

Tit  certainly  seems  like  it  H«]  aiiy  oni^  ehie  told  me 
wy  I|^perienqed,I  should  think  they  were  humbug. 
gi^m* ;  bu|  I  cannot  discredit  what  I  sawi  with  my  omi 

*^«-    .;  ••,.  -■■••■  ■'■-:.,       '  'r  ..  -i-  .        *' 

"Ejkactly  like  the  description  Mrs.  Toi^  gives  of  the 
facptl^at  upl^eared  at  her  window-white  ks  that  of  the 
dead,  with  4^,  streaming  h^ir,  and  wild,  vacant,  dark     * 
cjyes.  'I 

"0^^  WUMI   fein  it  bi»  that^  irt.  no ;  hi, 
»np<^$miffc:^ Atwi^thQurdid^hiaapparitb    »uuwr" 
B^wceu  onf  a»i| two,  4§ neariitj  cw^iiiitei,'* 

■  '■     ■  ■  '  ■..    ~  ■."'  •      -  > _■(( »?r*T'"*rsJR': 


«< 


H, 


"  Strauge !  Strange !    I,  too,  heard  somettiing  dreatdfal 

"Listen !    Abdut  midnight  I  was  awakened  by  some^ 
thing  that  sounded  like  a  heavy  fall  right  oat«ide  n^ 
door,  followed  by  a  groan  so  deep,  so  horrible,  that  the;  J 
very  bloodi  seemed  freezing  in  my  Veins.    Trembling  with  j 
terror,  I  half  rose  to  listen ;  "but  all  for  a  time  was  stilk^  ' 
Trying  to  persi|ade  myself  I  was  only,  dreaming,  I  was'' 
about  to  lie  down  again,  when  a  shridk  the  most  appal-/ 
ling  broke  upon  the  air,  and  died  away  in  an  agonized 
moan.    I  dared  not  move  ;  I  could  not  sleep ;  and  I  laj 
cowering  in  superstitious  horror  until  morning.    Wifh; 
the  bright  sunshine  came  renewed  courage,  and  I  feai-ed J 
to  mention  what  I  had  heard  to  my  brother  or  you,  lest'! 
I  ^ould  be  laughed  at— even  as  you  feared  the  s^tiie. 
Millard,  there    must  be  some  horrible  mystery^ -hjere  t 
Some  foul  c^ime,  I  fear,  has  at  some  time  been  perj^tra- 
ted  within  those  walls.    What- if-i—^" 

She  paused. 

"*Well,  Sibyl  ?"  he  saj4,  inquiringly.  v     .  >  r 

"Oh,  Willard !  what  if  this  house  has  been  the  scei 
of  that  mystery  the  dying  man  spoke  of!    1  thought  p^l 
it  from  the  first." ;  .  %  /  *^^ 

"Nonsense,  Sibyl!    What  an    idea!"    And  jret   *'" 
looked  disturbed  himself,  as  he  spoke.  v 

"  How  otherwise  are  we  to  account  for  thojJMJ.ghoa 
visiting*,   those    midnight   apparitions,   mid^  |ii 
shrieks?"  ■   -  -^r   '-^-.iV, /  ■V,::^,,;s^>,  | / 

"  And  yet  nothing  could  induce  yJotir  brother  to 
"youTbeiref.    He  wblld  mttgh  at  oor  credultty^ 
to  tell  him  what  we  have  seen  and  heard." 

"  Yes ;  iH»d,  ijwrh^ia  I  hiwl  bjBttor  nol  teU  Win,  Wil 
■  .  .  ■     . "  ■-     ..     .-.>,■ 


■^.,i 


ia 


''^^f^m  3m^  0^ 


'hi' 


I  will- hove  yioiJr  room  chaneed  anJ  ««..  «.      ...      . 
Even  if  tfiey  are  les«.  r-o^f  1  u?^  .^^  °^''°  likewise. 

fuming,  the,  waiked  togeth.;^^e^o^  ^1/.   And 


J    1 


(I 


CHAPTER  Vt  • 

So  soon  forsa&Pfi  3     V  °*®  *'^°«*rt  ■ 

feinland  on  aVisit  North,^.K  i  i'  "*'  away  to  the 
|l«membcred  Christie 's  5  '*  '''"^  Willard;  but 
iE  time.  doub.Ie«  72a  ovI^XaL^i^'-'T'"  "' 
dapgerous-society.     ,    .         f  J' """^  <>'">«  world  into 


Towar 


.T>      '"t.S.'' 


^ajm  tor  wite  the  jnaw," 


'A  4 


m 


advancitig  toward  them.   ;  Sibyl  raised  her  telescope  to 
survey  the  new-comers.  '    n  « 

,  "Rev.,  Mr.  Mark  Brant  well  and  wife,"  she  exclaimed, 
in  tones  of  surprise  and  pleasure.  "Guy  has  doubtless 
caOed  upon  them,  and  told  them  I  was  here."  ,.>^ 

"Friends  of  yours  ?"  asljed"  Willard.  *  * 

*•  Yes,  the  Episcopal^jei^rgy man  of  N ,  whom  I  havt 

known  since  my^^arfliest  childhood.     But  here  they  are." 

The  boat  at^^s  moment  touched  the  shore,  and  Sibyl, 
disengaging  her  arm,  ran  down  to  meet  them.  Willard 
ipo^e  leisurely  followed,  .just  in  time  to  see  his  lady-love 
folded  in  the  arms  of  a  gentleman  who  sprang  from,  the 
boat.    ^  > 

The  stranger  was  of  middle  age,  married,  and  a  clergy- 
man ;  yet,  in  spite  of  all,  Mr.  D/ummond  felt  a  sudden 
twinge  of  jealousy  and  anger  at  beholding  the  embrace. 
But  the  next  moment  jealousy,  angfer,  every  feeling  Was 
swallowed  up  in  intense  astonishment,  not  unmingled 
with  superstitious  horror.  For  as  the  clergynfan  turned 
round,  and  Willard  obtained  a  fuU  view  of  his  face,  he 
recognized:  the  countenance  /of  him  he  had  seen  years 
before  in  that  mystic  vision  at  the  Egyptian's.  •  " 
,  For  a  moment  he  stood  regfarding  him,  pale  with  wdn- 
der ;  and  he  only  awoke  from  his  trance  of  surprise,  when 
he  heard  the  clear,  ringing  voice  of  Captain  Campbell,  as 
he  approached  him,  saying,  with  a  hearty  slap  oil  the 
shoulder 'fi?;  '1^''^:':  -—--j: ^;^ /  ■  ■  v  -     _.^   -  ■    • ,  '  ;•:'- -;  -I, h  ' ,    ■  •   ■ 

"  Why,  Drummond,  roan  alive>  what  ails  yoii  ?  You  are 
as  pale  as  a  ghost !"  w  '         - 


-j.'^i 


'^  Are   you 


.  -, —     —Jiyir  anxiously,    W   §ho^ 

apprcjlnched,  leaning  on  the  arm  of  Mrs.  Brantwell. 

:  "^  slight  headache>«^othing  more,"  said  Willard^ 
re<;o^eFing  himself  by  an  effort ;  "  aothio|;  worth  bein^  ' 


''\«"-.4^r.'' 


*\^  wgta  mm  em  wm 


alai-Hied  .bonV'  *«  .dded,  seeing  Sibyl'.  atiU  *„,iou, 

'  ^^*        ,; ■.'.:*■--:-■,.-   "\     '       ■    '   .".■\\. -:■:■:■  ;m■■v.^^, 

"Why,  Sfeyl,  have  you  grown  nwvo*^^ 
exclmmed  Mr.  Bmntwell-"  you,  who  used  to  be  «.  l^ld 
apd  danng  a.  g^mouauin  eaglet.  But  perhaps,"  he  a<kled, 
gla«ci„g.„eaningly  ^t  ^llard,  «-it  U  only  where  some 
very  particular  friend  i^  concefed  |hat  your  fears  are 
thus.easily  aroused.;''  *  «» -re 

/  Willard  smiled  |;li^htly,  while  Sil^yl's  dirk  face  grew 
crimson  as  she  hur^iecTon  with  increased  rapidity,  draw- 
ls h^  companion  with  hei^a;^  leaving  the  gentlemen 

/      When  they  re/^ed  the  lodge  Sibyl  left  her  brother  to 
entertain   their  guests,  Kwhile  sh<j  sot  about  preparinff 
luncheon,    Whe^  the  meal  was  over  Mrs.  Brantwell  sai'd 
,  And  now.  ^iss  Sibyl,  I  have  come  to  ctirry  you  off 

Itisthreeyearj'sincel  have  had  the  ple«.u«  of^ibg 
jou,  and  I  shal^  certainly  take  you  with  me  now.  Com^ 
ao  excuses-I  irill  not  hear  one  of  them:" 

"But,  my  ^>  Mrs.  Braqjtwetl "  began  Sibyl. 

But,  my  dear  ^iss  Campbell,  you  ;«./ comedo  you 
hear  that  ?  W:brother  can  certainly  do  without  you  f 6r 

^   "JCfis,  ao^  glad  to  be  rid  of  her,  too,"  said  the  gallant 
Captain  Car^pbell.     ,  >  r         »*"*"•= 

Sibyl  st^le  a  glance  toward  Drummond  from  under 
h^j^Jong  e:|^elashes.  He  was  sitting,  looking  out  of  the 
W^'mTV"  ^^^^^^^^''^b-  dissatisfied  f^^vn  on  his 
tT'  .^£  ^r^"'^'^*^  Pe'^eived  the  glance,  and  biWke 
QUt^ain  ivith  her  usual  bluntness :  '      .       J 

J^djifor  that  other  jgei^     youar^  lookii^>L 
)iirl lata  sure  h«  will  h«»««^ •-_•.,  .  9^  "•» 


^M»^«^  wrehe  wm  begen«rou8  woiigh  to^l^ol 


\^ 


i'  ~   „ « 


.jrfl 


JUSD  W  winf  ms  urswr 


few  days,  as  he  will,  ia  all  probability,  have  enough 

^bi|  before  long:" 

Agaii)  Sibyl  crimsoned  and  glanced  reproachfully  at 
iier  plain-spoken  friend,  and  again  Mr.  Drummond  was 
forced  to  sinil^  in  spite  of  his  ill^buniory  at  the  good 
lady'sibrusqu^  bluntness.  -  "^ 

"  Ypu  will  ha^e  to  cpme,  you  see,  Miss  Sibyl,"  «iid  Itr* 
Brantwell,  laughing. 

"Of  course,  she  willT^  added  hisffank  spouse  ;  *^ancl 
upon  in/' word  I  think!  am  doing  her  a  favor  in  taking 
her  from  this  louesomer  island,  and  letting  her  see  a  little 
of  civilized  life  at  pur  hands  ;  though,  from  Sibyl's  looks, 
I  should  say  she  doesn't  feel  at  all  grateful  for  it." 

v«*  Indeed,  Mrs.  Brantwell,  I  do,  but— "  4^ 

^  There,  there !    I  won't  listen  to  another  word."  And 
Mrs.  Brantwell,  a  tall,  good-humored  looking  lady,  dap* 
ped  her  hands  over  her  ears.     "  Guy,  make  this  ungrateful/ 
sister  of  yours  hold  her  tongue,  and  do  as  she  is  told." 

*/  Come,  Sibyl,  there  is  no  help  for  it,  you  sec,"  Said* 
Guy.     "|Pruromond   and  I  will  get  along  swimmingly 
4uring  your  absence.     He  can  keep  his  hand  in,  in  mak- 
iiig  love  t6  Aunt  Moll,  while  I  try  my  powers  of  persua- 
sion over  Mrs.  Tom." 

Sibyl  laughed,  and  paused  for  a  moment  in  thought.  "| 
She  would  infinitely  have  preferred  remaining  on  the ^ 
island  with  Willard,  but  it^would  never  do  to  allow  thero 
to  tU-'nk  that  was'^her  reason  ;  and  after  all;  a  week  would 
soon  pass.    Had  Christie  been  home,  no  persuasions  could 
have  induced   her  to  go ;  but  in  her  absence  thire  was 
nothing  to  fear.    Then,  too,  Willard,  so  long  accustomed' 
'  ^^vk  prcacnce^  would"  miss  bernsor  much  WfietT^cwgr 
gone  ttmt  doubtless  his  love  would  be  inenmsed  itudier 
thi&  diminished. 


'V, 


^ 


^#  1^  tttf  alfl"ie>i^ 


^    Involuntarily,  while  thinlcing  of  him,  her  eyes  K«n. 

Br^w!l7  r  ^^''!^*'•    Again  t|,e,.harp.sightcd  Mrs 
Brar^ll  observed  it,  and  again  she  brolse  out  Impa. 

^  -  Lord  Wess  «e !    Mr.  Dnimmond.  jiist  trirn  i^d, 
W  ^°?:**^**'"Sibyr  she  may  go.    Nothing  earthly  wU 
Induce  her  to  come  till  you  give  permission.     I'm  3ure  i> 
ypu  were  her  father  she  cbulda't  be  more  afraid  of  dis- 
pleasing  your  lordship.'"  •  - 

X^'  Miss  Campbell  ne^^s  no  permission  of  mine:  I  am 
on>  too  hap^y  to  thin^  she  will  have  an  opportunity  of 
^"'^^^n^T^^  '^  ^ellV'said  WiUard,  with  a  grave  liw. 

Now,   perhaps,  you  will   come,   Sibyl,"  said   the  plain- 
^ken  old  lady,  "and  as  for  you,  sir,  I  shall  expect  to 
^^y^u"^..  .*  P*'"^°°^8:«  «very  day  with  Masief  Guy,"       >» 
_    I  shalll^  most  happy,"^d  Willard.  his  face  bright- 
^  a  l.«le,  while  Sibyl>^^§es  sparkled  with  antic^: 

M^^"^^^^  «"-*-«^^ 

H^n*«I-.r'^''^*PP*^'^'  Pressed  f^r  her  jourrti^r^ASd" 
then,^a^  the  afternoon  was-far  advanced,  the  whole^party 
descendedjo  .he  beach.    The  adieus  ;.ere  spoke^^ 
^at  pushed  off,  leaving  the  two  young  men^alone  on  the 

^^  M  must  go  ovei- to  Westbrook  dock^yard'this  aftei^ 
ndon  said  Guy.  "  ^vhere  the  Evening  Star  is  now  lying; 
Whatdoyou^y  to  coming  with  me?"  ' 

^^«  f  prefer  remaininghere."  said  WiUard,  Who  had  not 
yet  recovered  h.s  good  humoxy  after  ^hat  he  was  nie^j 


t^^]€«byi?aTicserttoiir 


..■  -f" 


I#£) 


our  WITB  TEB  NBWp 


.'•^•' 


r-v. 


V 


m 


';'P' 


"Da  not 
he  still,  and 

you  altogtfCheir 


"  Wsll»  theoj  I'll  remain  with  you,"  said  Guy,  whd  w)^ 
the  soOl  of  frankness  and  good  teov]  *" 

M  By  no  means  !"  said  Drum 
stay  on  my  .account.    I  have  a 
will  retire  to  my  room." 

"  But  it  seems  hardly  courteous 
alone." 

•*  Nonsense,  my  dear  fellow.  ll  insist  upon  it.  I  hopd 
you  do  not  thinjc  of  standing  on  cpremony  with  me?" 

"So  be  it,  then,"  said  Captain  ICgrnpbcll,  gayly,  as  he 
sprang  into  his  bqat,  pushed  off,  ^nd  shot  like  anarroW 
out  into  the  water. 

Drawing  a  cigar  from  his  poctket,  Willard  Drummond 
lit  it  and  prucee'ded  to  stroll  up:  and  down  the  beach,  itt 
no  very  amiable  frame  of  mind.  /  He  felt  angry,  in  spite 
of  all,  at  Sibyl's  leaving  him  ;  ai/d  with  this  feeling  would, 
now  and  then  mingle  another4-profound  amazement  at 
the  exact  resemblance  this  Mr.  Brantwell  bore  to  the  face 
he  had  seen  in  that  singular  virion.  Wkis  the  fell 
tion  about  to  be  verified  ? 

Lost  in  such  thoughts  as  these,  he  was  suddenly  star* 
tled~by"a:iiibice  singing  a  wild,  sweet  song  oif  the  sea,  \tt 
tlie  clearest  and^Bost  delightful  tones  he  had  ever  heard. 
Surprised  at  the  une:tpectcd  sound,  he  sprang  up  the 
rocks  in  the  direction  whence  it  came,, and  beheld  a  sight 
that  transfixed  him  with  amazement         '  - 

-ilk  young  girl,  beautiful  as  an  ang«4^  stood  on  an  over- 
hanging  crag,  with  one  round,  white  arm  resting  lightlyi 
^  on  tjie  rocks,  singing  to  herself  as  She  gazed  on  the 
sparkling  waters.  Her  hai^,  of  the  palest  golden  hue, 
rose  and  fell  in  the  breeze/and  flashed  in  thft  stinljght- 
that  ^sted  likeagl^ry  an  her  bright  young  head.  Her 
<U>mplexion  was  diizzlingly  fair,  with  ros^^tinted  c'leoklk^ 


'"^« 


■'^i^^a&t.Z^^ 


^- 


'I 


/ 


•*«>y  Fiwr  iw»  0i;i>  iopar. 


and  full,  red  lips— like  wet  cqUl— and  eyes  large  and 
bright,  and  blue  a^  the  summer  sky  above  her.    Her  fig^ 

^  wre  was  slight,  but  round  aad  vojuptuous  ;  aad  there  was 
passion,  and  fervor,  and  wild  enfhusiasm  in  her  look,  as 

^  she  stood  like  a  stray  seraph,  dropped  from  some  stray 
cloud,  on  that  lonely  island. 

Willarfi  Drummond  stood  immovable,  drinking  in,  to 
kitoxicati^n^  the  bewildering  draught  of  her  beauty.  She 
was  in  e^ry  respect  so  very  different  from  Sibyl,  that 
«be  seemed  to  him  the  mbre  charming  from  forte  of  con- 
trast. Transfixed  he  stood— everything  forgotten  but  this 
lovely  creature  before  him— when  suddenly,  like  an  inspi- 
latton,  came  th6  remembrance  of  his  singular  dream,  and 
©f  the  fatal  siifen  with  the  golden  hair.  Strange  that  it 
should  have  come  back  to  him  so  vividly  and  Daiafullv 

•  tfeen!-  j  .    '  *^         .  f 

The  youBg^  girl's  song  ceased,  and  turning,  she  leaped* 
ligbtly  as  a  j^oung  deer  from  her  fairy  perch,  without 
perceiving  him  who  stood  so  intently  r^arding  hen 
Leaping  from  rock  to  rock  with  %  fleetness  that  awoke  the 
surprise  of  Willard)  slie  reached  the  road  Uad  disappeared 
within  sh^  cQtt&ge  of  Mrs.  Tdm*  .     / 

Everything  was  forg;otten  now  b^t  the'xra^s  intense 
desire  of  knowing    wh^   this    radwrit  sea-nymph  was^ 
Turning,  thercforej  into  the  path  she  had  ju^t  f&ken,  he* 
approached  the  cottage  and  encountered  Caf^l  at  the  door. 

^*  Well,  Master  Henley,  how  are  you  ?'V  said  Wfllard, 
iE»refcssly.  /    . 

"Sticking  together,"  was  Master  Herily's  concise  and, 
desgriptiye  answer  '      ._ ^       J,,.  ^ 


ISWj 


A   i 


"Glad  tolear  it,"  said  Willard^  rf^ressing  a  strong  , 
:|K;IiQati<Mi  to  l«ugh.    "  Is  Mrs.  Tom  Within  ?" 


j,:m^ 


y 


/  - 


Jum  oar  twt^t  rat»  vsm* 


-She  w«s  when  I  left  tHe  bouse/'  said  Cart,  t^a 
seemed  determined  not  to  conimit  himself 

"Anyone  with  her?"  again  inquired  the  young  gentle,  .a 
man,  looking  as  indiflFerent  as  possible. 

"No,  nobody,"  was  the  tinexpected  answer  > 

"  What !"  exclaimed  Willard,  surprised.     "  I  thoo^fat  t^ 
saw  a  young  lady  enter'a  rooroeut  ago  I"  ^      I 

Hirl'ly *"' '^^"'''^'''^ '  Bobody,"  J'aid   t'l>e  gallant  Mr.    ;. 

«€hristie-^Mrs.    Tom's    niec^I    thought    she    wa» 
away  «J  exclaimed  Willard.  ,. 

he  fefrhtLT-^"'  ^k"^*""^"'  '*"'■  '^'''  "^""""'^S ;  couldn't 
he  bothered  ^domg  her  work  and  my  own  both  any 
lojfjger/'  said  Carl.  ■' 

,  >  "i'^PP^f  '  "ay  SO  in  ?"  said  Willard,  feeling  a  sud- 
den  thrUl  of  pleas.ure  at  the  knowledge  that  this  radiant 
girl  was  an  inhabitant  of  the  island.  „..-•:  * 

,  "  Yes,  I  suppose  you  may,  if  you  like,'*  said  Carl,  ia  a 
tone  of  the  utmost  unconcern. 

Thus  kiftdly  permitted,  Willard  advanced  and  rapped 
at  the  door.  It  was  opened  by  Mrs.  Tom,  whose  surprise 
was  only  equaled  by  her  delight  at  being  honored  by  thia 
unexpected  visit.  -, 

Near  the  window  that  overlooked  the  lodge,  stood  the 
goldfen-haired  vision  of  the  beach.  She  turned  rcmnd 
with  a  quick,  shy  glance,  and  blushed  mo«r  enchantinirlT 
beneath  the  deep,  dark  eyes  of  the  stranger 
^  "  My.niece,  Christie,  Mr.  Drummond,"  S4id  Mrs.  Tom, 
directing  his  attention  to  her  with  a  wave  of  her  hand 
:.::me  got  faack  this.  mornin4^-^-tt«<a-ar  find- 


'  r 


it"lJOWgrfuF 


looAS^me  here  without  Christie." 

« I  him^  no  doubt  of  it,"  said  Mr.  Drummond,  seating 


"'MA^' 


If  *   "'i' 


r  y- 


f0'^ 


« 


«« 


O^Fy    Wt^  THB   CW   LOVB, 


«-^ 


m' 


himself.    "  But  I  have  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  Misa 
Christie  before."  • 

"  Whcre^,,.  asked  Christie,  opening  her  Mue  eyes  in 
wonder. 

**  Down  on  the  beach,  a  few  moments  ago." 
"Oh,  yes." 

And  again  Christie  blushed  vividly,  as  she^recoUected 
how  she  had  been  caught  singing. 

"Where's  Miss  Sibyl  and  Master  Guy  ?"  inquired  Mrs, 
Tom.      ^  „  "  _        ; 

"Miss\Sibyl  has  gone  to  N with  the  clergyman's 

.family,  an<i^  will  not  return  for  a  week;  and  Captain 
Campbell  has  gone  to  Westbrook,  where  his  vcs&ipi  .is 
undergoing  repairs.  So  I  am  left  all  alone,  and  cam«^  to 
pay  my  respects  to  you." 

"Then  you'll  stay  and  spend  the  evfenin'?"  said  Mrs. 
Tom,  smiling  complacently. 

Mr.  Drummond  professed  his  willingness ;  and  the 
little  widow,  deUghted  at  the  condescension^  set  about 
preparing  tea  instantly,  assisted  by  Christie,  whose  wild, 
shy  glances  were  bent  on  his  face  whenever  she  fancied 
herself  unobserved.    Half  pleased,  half  afraid  of  him  at 

frst,she  was  reserved  and  timid;  but  as  this  wore  off, 
e  drew  her  into  conversation,  and,  to  his  surprise,  found 
her  intelligent  and  well-educated.  This  M^s.  Tom  ac- 
counted for,  by  saying  she  had  gone  to  tcliool  for  the 
last  five  years  at  Westbrook,  residing  there  with  the  friend 
she  had  now  been  visiting.  ^ 

The  evening  passed  aivay  with  the  r&pidity  of  magic. 
Christie,  after  much  solicitation,  consented  to  sing  for 


cdTo Tairly  enchan t  Tiim, 


him"x~BnjJtf anyiiilnff  was  n< 

that  sweet,  clear  vuipe  would  have  dooe  it.    Then,  too, 
*jCarl  added  to  the  ge^ral  hilarity,  by  drawinj^  out  a  rusty 


/<*'->i*,%i 


°^  asd  on  with  tbb  nrw:* 


0: 


Jew's-harp,  arid  playrag  a  favorite  tuDe  of  his  own  ccto-  'I 
position.  Not  once  during  the  ««vening  did  he  think  of 
Sibyl ;  her  dark,  resplendant  f  ice,  and  wild  fierce,  black 
eyes,  were  forgotten  for  the  ipfolden  locks  and  sweet,  fait 
face  of  blue-eyed  Christie— this  dainty  island  Peri.  -  :,; 
The  lioiir  f<^  leaving  came  all  tpo  soon.  As  he^luc- 
tahtly  rose  to  go,  he  pressed.  «^t»e  Iiand  Christie  eiitended, 
to  bis  lips,  with  such  passionate  ardor  that  the  blood 
flushed  to  her  very  temples,  but  not  with  pleasure;^  Ere 
he  left,  Mrs.  Tom  cordially  invftfed  him  to  visit  her  house 
while  he  remained  on  the  island— aSl'invitation  he  Was  not 
loth  in  accepting.  -  -      ,    j.^\ 

Christie  stood  at  the  window,  watching  his  tall,  ele- 
gant form  as  he  walked  toward  the  castle  in  the  bright 
clear  moonlight.  ,,  * 

VI  like  him.  Cousin  Christie ;  don't  you  ?"  said  Carl 
when  he  had  gone.  "  * 

But  Cousin  Christie  turned  away  witfiout  reply,  long-  j 
ing  to  lay  her  burning  cheek  on  the  piUowteand  muse  Sj 
ovei    the  neW  and  delidous  joy  that  was  tf  rilling  her  ^? 
whole  heart,  and  in  her  slumber  to  li»  dreaming  "  Love's 
young  dream."  ■•  '  '^  , 

And  VVillard  Drummond,  forgetting  ftis  vows,  forget- 
ting Sibyl,  forgetting  honor,  forgetting  all  but  this  lovely 
islmd-maidcn,  sought  his  couch  with  but  one  name  on 
his  heart  and  lips-—  ' 

"Christie,  Christie  I" 


•                  « 

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TBS  aSARfS  BTitmOLA 


V. 


!■; 


CHAPtEie  VII 


THE  HEARTS  STRUGGLE.  W 

•         ■ 

'  **  She  loves,  but  knows  not  whom  she  Iovel» 

"~  •  Nor  what  his  race,  nor  whence  ho  came : 

'^  dbike  one  who  nteets  tn  Indian  groves 

^  Some  beauteous  bird  without  a  name,     ' 

Brought  by  |he  last  ambrosial  breeze  '* 

To  show  Dis  plumage  for  \i  day  -  ^ 

To  w<uideriageyes»  then  wing  away."  '^ 

Lalla  Rooiui. 

PALE,  feytrtsh,  and  unrefreshed,  after  a  night  of  rest- 
kip  dreams,  Will4rd  Drummood  arose  from  a  vtstoa 
of  Christie  to  hail  a  new  day. 
Passion  and  principle  were  at  war  already.  Bound  by 
every  pledge  of  lave,  by  every  vow,  to  Sibyl,  his  whole 
foiil  was  steeped  fn  this  new,  all-absorbing  passion  that 
^ad  taken  possesston  of  him.  He  had  fancied  he  loved 
her,  until'  he  beheld  radiant,  dazzling,  bewildering  Christie 
and  from  that  moment  he  could  have  yielded  heaven  for 
her.  Every  feeling  of  his  inmost  heart  and  soul  was  up, 
iii  arms.  Every  feeling  of  honor  bade  him  fly  front  this 
tetoxicattng  siren,  whose  power  he  felt  growing  stronger 
taot^  Htmment  over  him ;  but  the  ruitire  of  passtoix  cried  : 
"  Remain  !  love  her,  if  you  will !  What  rigfet  has  Sibyl 
\qi  stand  between  yoi(|  and  the  heave©  of  yo«f  dreams?" 
And,  like  all  who  allow  the  struggl<i^  between  right  and 
wrong  to  wage  its  warfare  in  their  bpsom,  Willard  Drum- 
«oad^;r.^itas^'  Ipst.  Eory^with  his  Jiot» 
nature,  worldly  Considerations,  former  vows,  reason,  prin> 
ciple,  Justice,  even  honor,  were' sw<(pt 'away,  liife  a  wail 
ol  toioke,  before  tbe  fierc«  iropetuosit|^ of  ipMioa.   ^  ^  '^ 


,  ./XHLn^iie* i-M'&il'.  !.  ..  .! 


'^W^'^ 


■-^t 


*. 


With  a  head-throbbing,  and  pulse  quick  and  feverish 
wfth  the  inward  tonflict,  Wiliard  descended  to  breakfasts' 
f  Captain  Campbell  stood  in  the,  sitting-room,  awaiting 
his  coming.  With  a  courteous  "good  morning,"  he 
advanced  to  meet  him  ;  but  started  back  in  surprise  at 
beholding  bis  extreme,  pallor,  - 

"  My  dear  fellow,"  he  exclaimed,  in  a  tone  bf^splici-- 
tude;  "  you  arp  ill— very  ill,  I  am  afraid.  Wh^t  in  the 
world  is  the  matter ?"  '        #       *     _   -  '\1 

"Nothing.  1  had  bad  drehms,  and  did  not  sleep  well/* 
said  Druramorid,  with  a  forced  smile.  "A  cup  of  Auut 
Moll's  excellent  coffee  will  set  me  all  j-ight  again." 

••I  don't  know  about  that,"  said  Captain  Campbell,  with 
his  eyes  fixed  anxiously  on  his  face.  "  You  are  looking 
terribly  feverish,  and  you  were  complaining  of  a  head- 
ache  yesterday.  1  hop0  you  sfre  not  going  to  be  ill/*  ..^ . 
"I  assure  you  it  is  nothing,"-  said  Wiliard,  in  a  tone  of 
slight  impatieqce.  "  You  are  needlessly  alairming  your 
self.    A  tad  night's  rest  is  the  cause  of  alL" 

"  Well,  if  it  is  not^  I  will  ^e  to  call  up  Mrs.  Tom  to' 
nurse  you  till  Sibyf  corties.  M^nd,  by  the  way,  I  rcgrc^ 
exceedingly  that  I  shall  be  obliged  Jo  leave  you  solit^fy 
and  alone  for  some  days,  Importaiit^siness,  that  csia- 
not  be  postponed,  demands  my  imme^^e  atiention.*lj.  ' 
Willardls  heart  suddenly  bounded— hje  would  sc^jjl^ 
have  acknowledged  to  Wtp self  the  reasonrr^  the  woras. 
"  It  seem?  h(*rdly  courteous  oj-irospitabieT^  tea,ye  you 
thijs,"  cpntihued  the  young  captain  ;"but  I  know  you 
will  excuse  me,  my  deai;  fellow,  when  I  tell  you  it  cannot 
possibly  bcJielped." 


Ui 


*6h,  certainly,  certainly!"  ii^terruptej^  Drummoad,; 
^firdially,  *•  Go/ By  all  means.'  xW^Il  get  ftlong  well 
fBougb  in  yottir  absence.    When  do  sum  l^v«  r 


r  break fa8(*  K  is  in, 


t,  1  will  not  have  tim 
pu  wiijt,  probably  be  f 

^f haps  yoti  wiH  G#^# 


Millard,  with- affected  carel 
,«,      (course  of  the  day,"     .  t?|. 
JutiWF?^*i^^i  tale%e  boat.*'  . 

"  Ph/W||JT  Carl^JIeniy.     He  has  one,  I  belfeve."  | 
f\  %    "  WeU^iiit  yo^tseWi''    And  now  I'm  off.    Take'^rc 
|h^w  yourse^  myboy  ;  and  au  revoir  !" 
■^   '  '^^ood-ly^"  said  Willard,  accompanying  hin^i  to  (^ 
llJb'r.'    *' Auni  Moll  and  I  will  keep  bachelor's  hall  till 
'  |,co|;ne  back."  .  "  '  r. 

ipUin    Guy  laughed»;  arid     harried   down    to  the 
>Seaii;h>i    And  when  he- was  ^on#,  Willard  arranged  his 
sligllCly  disordered  dre$s  and' disheveled  lock ^ and  saun- 
^<fterihg  out,  almost  mechanically  took  the  road  to  the  cot- 
^ag6./.-      ,    -v-  \      -..  '  ' 

It  canje'  i"q  ^leht  at  last — this  fittle,  quaint,'  6ld  hou^tfi 
tlwrt»Jt>?l<i  all  ^^  ^^siven  to  him  now.  / 

f 'iShall  I  enter-Xshall  1  thrust  myself  into  temptation  ?'• 
[as  his  thought.     "If  I  look  again  on  this  fairy  sylph  I 

lost!"  .  •'      -       . 

,  He  thought  of  Sibyl,  and  her 'dark,  bright,  metiJ 
c;^ess  arose  before  him,  as  if  to  warn  him  bafck.^ 

"  For  your  honor's,M^£ — for  your  life's  sake- 
sours  sake— -go  not  l^y^  said  the  thre|iten!| 
,j(Coascience.    -,'  ''  .  ■  ^'^j^^         -  - 
„-^lApd  hayj^lWt  a  tight  XQAm 


should  Ijg^ffcr  violence  to  myself  in  leaving 
enchantrMs,  for  that  dark,  wild  Amazpn  ?  Go,  go, 
happy," said  passion.  '^.     .  <*' 


JF  «u.,i»  >  'Wg-av.t  *.,<»,  ^^^^^^ 


■U     .  '-I 


4        &.-. 


;v 


^■J  ".'? 


'^;' 


^^ 


If. 


Tm^HBABra  smvoGLB. 


;■ 


1 1 


% 


]  e'"^f. 

im«t°'!;f"r^'?•*'^^?'''^  ^^^  **''  «°°*^  resolution,  th»- 
h^l)ehcld  ^  first,  in  the  bright  flush  of  the  fadingsun^  J 
hg^^rospSefoi^  him,  and  once  again  pas.ir4i 

He  approachjfed  and  entered  the  cottage       ^ /^ 

f^l        K  W'^^?l«  «y«^  wandered  around  in  s4r^  <rf 
another  ;  but  bright  Christie  was  not  to  be^seen. T^ 

The  widow  arose,  smiling,  to  welcome  her  guwTand 
placed,  a  chair  for  him  near  herself.  And  still Tted's 
eyes  went  wandering  round  the  room.^#  vv.uiards 

ii,!'^*'^  .'^'".  ^PPe»^  Presently,"  he   thought,  not  rtt' 
liking  to  inquire  for  her.  '  ^"^  ^^ 

Tom  ^1;?  ^.r^erable-looking  affair  your  wheel  is,  Mrs. 
^^i^rlX^r'  ''  ^^'^?'^  '-'  PoH^l^ed  wo^S 
"Yes,  it's  as  old-^s  ^e  hilTs,"  said  Mrs.  Tom  resum- 
ing her  wofk  ;  "and  has  been  in  our  family  sinceTheS 

saJwnaJ*^ ''  •*^'"*^»''-''^  M"-  Tom." 
bu  «  U  true,  for  all  t^     Many  k  tr^eforflkS^f; 


<'-'; 


round. -^-*'IhcF»-aitt?tmt 


»a  sew,  wadi^rsii|«k«,  «,*.  „d  roaj^itftw^JheT 


9ii 


y 


thir^gs,  too  numerous  tq  rnqniion,  bejii<|e^.  -CatX],  if.  I  go 
out  there  I'll  put  an  end  to  your  lazin',  yipu  idje,  gool^ 
for-nothin*  vagabone,  you!"  she  add(^c|,  br(^al(injg^  o^'  in 
sudden  wrath,  as  she  espied  Carl,  leaning  on  thjB  Sgade 
with  which  he  should  have  been  digging  int  the  garden. 

"  You  should  make  Carl  do  these  things,  Mrs:  Tom," 

said  Willard,  s^iUimpatitently  watching  th(^dppr  and  Wpn- 

^ring  why  Christie  did  not  come. 

"'  \  '    "Carl  ?"  said  Mrs.  Tom,  with  a  short  ^ygl),     "  Ij-pr'-s^r 

missy  !  he  ain't  wort^,  his  salt ;  that  there's  the  Iciest, 

most  worthlessest  youngscatpc*goat  eyier  any  living 'oman 

was  plagued  with.     I  hain't  a  minute'^  pea^c^  with  him 

nightnorday ;  and  if  scolding  was  a  mite  of  gQpd,  the 

Lord  knows  he  might  have  been  a  saint  by  thij;  time,  for 

he  g;ets  enough  of,it." 

f^v* ;    Willard  laughed.     And  in  such  conversation  the  miim- 

'^'^       ing  slipped  awayT^^ry  rapidly  tQ  Mjrs.  Tow,  but  ^1 

moment  an  age  to  our  impatipnt  lover.     For  Chri'stie  was 

absent    still  ;    a«id   a   strange  reluctance,  fojr  which  he 

could. not  account,  still  prevented  Willard  frorn  a^ing.for 

her.    It  was  a^  inwardi  sense  of  guiljt  that  troubled  kirn  ; 

•for,  f«pling  toward  lier  as  he  diiid,  he  f^lt.h^,  h^  np  righl; 

even  to  mehtion  her  ijam^  •  '  ^      '        .   *    \ 

At  last,  in  despair,  he  arosetogo.     Mrs.  Tom  relievtik 
his  mind  by  saying :  _  \ 

**  Christie  will  be  disappointed  at  not  seeing  you,"  sa^ 
the  old  lady,  f olloj?«^ni|  him  out    "  §1^^  yir^i\fi  9ut  Ijierryi n^ 
1^  the  woods  this  morning,  and  hain't  got  ^oqjij^  TOt."     V 
Willartl  started  ^t  th^  informatioi|L ;  ai^di  inwardly 
cursing  the  folly  that  had  detained  hii;!^  so  many  hpvxi 
^•lfcing|^  to^  a  foolish  old:  wotfta^a,  Ite  cla^ftta^  psi  witirsf 
rapidity  that  quite  amagcdA^r^Top^jj  t^  4^^,90  0^ 
4i6pio6wood&  ,       *^  *.    ; 


•^-^^ 


7 


Mi'^Anrs  ^ItMt^&i^iM. 


i. 


"^Jjl^^t  a  confounded  fooll  have l)een,"  he  ekclaitbec 
saVageiy,  "  to  stay^  there  listening  to  the  way  to  maXe  btitr 
ter,  an^  flaniiel,  and  'yarb  tea,'  as  if  the  old  beldame 
thoiiigbt  I  was. going  to  be  soriiebody's  housekeeper,  or  in 
ferttalc  doctress  ;  and  all  the/time  this  enchanting /little  ^ 
bliic-eyed  witch  was  wanderiiig  alone  by  Herself*  What 
an  opportunity  I  have  lost !  and  now  I  supposiTI  maj- 
seaitch  for  an  hour  and  not  find  her."  '     .    a    ' 

He|  turned  an  abrupt  angle  in  the  winding  path,  and' 
stifled  a  sudden  exclamation  of  surprise'  an^  delight; 
for  there  before  him,  reclining  oh  the  grass,  with  half- 
vailed  eyes,  and  soft,  musing  smite,  sat  the  object  of  all 
his  thoughts,  wishes,  and  desires. 
,  \^       He  paused  for  a  moment  to  contemplate  ^he  pittufe 

^  tjifefore  him,  for,  if  if  Christie  had  seemed  beautiful  whea 
he  first  beheld  lier,  oh,  doubly  lovely  did  she  appear  now 
in  her  attitude  oi  unstudied  grace. 

'  Her  dress  was  a  loose,  light  muslin  robe,  fitting  to 
perfection  her  roundeid  waist  and  swelling  bust.  Her 
straw  hat  lay  on  the  ground  beside  her,  and  her  golden, 
suafshiny  hair  floated,/ with  all  its  wealth  of  rippling  ring- 

'  lets,  rbiitid  her  ivory  |hroat.  How  dazzlingly  fair  looked 
that  siiiooih,  snowy  brow,  contrasted  with  the  full  crinv 
son  lips  and  delicately  flushed  ciieeks — hpw  enchariting 

.  the  long-  curved  lashes,  falling  over  the  deep-blue  eyes — 
how  beautiful  that/faultless  form,  that  soft,  gentle,  happy 
smi|]^>f  guileless  girl hoo(ji. 

Wiliard   Di^gpiond's  breath  came  and  went,  quick 
and  short,  asi^M^azed,  and  hisdark  eyes -filled  with  a 

,  *|iibdued  fire.v^    > 

teifdvariccd  toward  her.  -  His  shadow,  fatiing^onrEhe  ^ 
grass  at  her  faet,  was  the  first  token  slie  had  of  his  com- 

iti^.    ,Viril:ha«ick,  startled  cry,  she  sprang  to  her  feet 

"»  t        -       ■     f  §t% 


n 


i?fi\ 


!6aiABrs  /srsmoug. 


y; 


/ 


I*.. 


In  terror ;  but  when  she  saw  Vho  ifiggMiltood  bef/ra 
hen  sh.  stj^pped  short,  while  theiSrS'g^S 
to  her  rouij^ed  cheeks.  Her  first  impression  W:  He 
.    '^f.W^  ^"^^'^  »«  my  face,  and  knows  I  wai  Uimk- 

'-      "^W  <J»sturbed  you,  bright  Christie  ^ie  asked 
Cominjp|i|e^rer.  ^^'       ;  '    ' 

«(p  no  r"  she  answered,  blushingly.  "l  was  only 
waitingf^to  rest  a  Iittl?  while  before  going  home;"  • 

"VVnd  dream%,  I  perceive,"  said  WiUard,  "May  I 
ask,of  what— o^j  whom  r,  >         .  ' 

"I  wasn't  dreaming,"  said  Christie,  innocently.     "I  # 
was  wide  awake  all  the  time."  ^ 

smilr^^^^i  ^^"' '  ^^^'■"«»™ond,  with  a 


,   ,'Do  you  i«t)w,  fairest  Christie,  I  have  been  at 
your  coitage  all  the  momniir,  waiting  to  see  you  V' 

n^see  me  ?"  said  Qhristie^^  another  quick,  ^lad 

'^^  I  hav#coroe  in&  search  of 


blusfi, 

"  And  not  finding 
you,"  he  continued,  '^r' 

"And  found  me, V she    said,  laughing 


''.*^ 

:# 


"u  J  m 


^^ 


Iftnown  vou  were  comA^[^ould,hav^taid^t  b^e." 

P#hapa  It  is  b^^F^  it  is;:brig^nty  ^or^  ha^ 
found  you  alone.     It  |Sj very  pleasant  togl^e  ■  founc^  1o 

rair., companion  on  this  lonely  i;jW'    ,^SJfF^  *^-  7      "/' 

«,  '\%;  ;\^  ^l°°«ly  pi^cw^"  Jy^istii^si^iyf 

"and  yet  %  li|e  it  better  th^n  ^&j|k,  or  iiny  ^he^ 
placet^j^yer  bfeen  i^.  ^nly^3  Hk.  al^^s^ 
hap^fnend  withinetotalk  to;W  that,  you  Khow;  j' 
ca|Sot  ^aye  her^  !  Aum  Tom  is  always  too  busVto  ea 
ou^>^ndvCarl  don't  care  about  tl^e  trouble  of  {alkinlr 
gJgM^^  walking;,  soj  aiwaysJtave  to  go  aloo<  ■ 


> 


"And  if  he  would  go,  I  fancjr  H^ter' Carlji  hudlf 


IW 


SBASTB  BTSU00J» 


tbe  kind  of  companion  Miss  Christie  would' Select,"  said 

Willard.'        ^-'■''  ''    -'    y  -  ■'^■-   /  ■;   ,.■'■'  '  ::  ^'■'■-■-  . 
"Not  if  I  could  firid  aiiy  better,"  said  Cliristie,  Wiih 
laiigh  ;  "  but  I  have  grown  so  aj^ustomed  to  being  alone 
now  that  I  do  not  mind  i^at  alj,  as  I  used  to." 

"And  so  you  are  perfectly  hdlppy  here^  fairest  Christie, 
reijjming  queen  of  this  fairy  isle  ?"^    '  "  i^'-'^ 

■  ^h,  no  I  bcautifurMiss  Sibyl  is  queen  of  tfic^lslc  J 
am  only  her  most  loyal  subject,"  said  phristie,  gayly; 
"you  ought  to  Itnow  that,  having  piud  her  your  allegi« 
pe.»  < 

li'Whatif  I  should  say  that  the  subject  is  more  Iqv^ly   . 
the  queen?"  said  Willatd,  in  a  low  voice,  and  in  a^J 
tone^lbat  brought  the  hotblOod  flushing^  to  ChristicTfr  , 

face  Jfl^ 

"TTsfeou^Lsay  i^ou  were  laughing  at  me,  as  of  course 
you  would  ■■  CertainlxJBO  ^iO^e  would  ever  think  of  me 
while  Miss^sSytiTas  near.  Oh  !  how^wish  she  would 
always  stay  liere,  and  then  I  would  have  a  companion." 

"  Ah,  brigfht  one  \  if  I  were  in  her  place,  what  wOuld  I  * 
not  surrender  for  such  a  privilege  !" 

"Would  you ?"  said  Christie,  looking  at  him  in  iti 
feigned  sifiprise  ;>  "  then  why  not  stay  ?  I  am  suro^ 
should  be  glad  to  have  you  here  alVays." 

Hcr  innocent  words,  her  enticing  beauty,  her  Child- 
like candoi^^were  a  strong  temptation.  For  one  moment 
he  was  about  )^o  fall  before  her,  to  clasp  her  in  his  arms, 
to  hold  her  there  forever,  w,hile  he  breathed  forth  his  mad, 
passionate  love,  and  told  her  nothing  on  ^arth  should  ever 
part  ithem  now.  But  ag^in  rose  before  him  the  dark| 
warning  face  of'  Sibyl  to  allay  the  fever  in  his  blood,  li 
"wenied  to  hlBiF  BBlOTittt^ee^  h«arbiacirrfarce-cyc5  gteR 


r*-3 


^ff-VVM 


iSifd 


I 

■y.^ 


Ittg  on  thcin  through  the  trees -he  could  almost  hear  her 

vclce  shouting  «*  Traitor !"  " 

,^     ,All  unconscious  of  the  struggle  raging  in  his  breast, 

^Cfeirlstiei^od  leaning  against  a  tree,  her  curved  crimson 
,  lips  half  parte4-^her  blue  eyes  fixed  oh  a  cloud  dri^iig 
*  jfdowly  oVer  the  sky,  little  dreaming  of  the  far  darker 

clouds  gathering  rapidly,  iow,  over  the  horizon  of  her 

.life.  .  ;  ' ;  •      •  -    N  •-• 

And  still  in  Willard's  heart  went  on  thei  struggle.  He 
'dared  not  look  at  her  as  she  Stobd  befortt  him — bright, 
radiant,  bewildering— llest  thjs  last  lingering  remains  of 
fidelity  and  honor  should  be  swept  away  by  the  fierce 
impetuosity  of  passion  in  his  unstable  heart. 

But  his  good  angel  was  in  the  ascendant  still,  for  at 
.  that  moment  the  voice  of  Carl  was  beard  calling  loudly  ; 
"Christie!  Christie!"  :  ' 

"  Here,  Carl !  Jlere  I  am,*'  she  answered  j  and  In  aii- 
other  instant  honest  Carl  stood  before  them. 
'  "  Aunt  Tom  sent  me  looking  for  you,"  said  the  younr|| 
gentleman,  rather  sulkily;  "and  I've  been  tramping  through 
the  woods  this  half-hour,  while  you  Were  taking  it  easy 
here,"  §aid  Carl,  wiping  the  perspiration  from  his  brow. 

♦'  It  was  all  my  fault,  my  good  Carl,"  said  Willard,  M  . 
Christie  hastily  snatched  up  -her  hat  and  basket  and  :ged, 
having  a  just  terror  of  Mrs.  Tom's  shf  rp  tongue.     "  McUse 
my  cxctioes  to  your  good  aunt,  and  here  is  something  foi 
yourself."  *  "  ,.,-  /    ■  ■      _.    ■.-'■/.- 

;  'C.iH's  dull  fnce  brightened  wdnderfully  as  Willard 
drew  a  gold  piece  from  his  pocket  $nd  pressed  it  into  his 
hand,  and  then  turned  his  steps  slowly  in  the  direction  <if 
Catnpbell  Castle,  thinking  all  earthly  happiness  lay  ceii- 
tereilriQ  thiB^?ppositedif«et*t)n.        .  H 


Mica.  Tom's  reproaches  fell  unheeded,  for  the  firs^  tiou;^ 


s«f< 


Jf 


m  mtfMi^s  w  m^i». 


.^ 


>' 


^  Christie's  dri-  jfhat  day.    She  heatA  nbt  a  ^6)iA  bf  (Iris, 
long  lecture  delivcfed  with  more  thati  tlie  gpobd  irVdovr's 
usual  eloquence,  for  ishc  was  th'mkitfg  bt  Another  voice, 
#bosc  lowest  tone  had  power  already  to  thrill  to  the  hiuer- 
most  recesses  of  her  heart.     She  loVed  without  knowings 
it,  ivilhout  wishing  to  define  the  hew,  delidoiid  fueling' 
filling  her  breist,  ottly  conscious  she  had  hevidr  \^en  Sb 
h^ppy  before  ih  her  life,  and  longing  fblr  the  tt^e  %lien 
she  should  see  hinr  again.    Ah,  well  Nid  it  been  for  ber 
hiftd  tKey  never  met  tbore.    ,  ^ ,,,, 

-     "4' 


■■.^^ 


*13 


4. 


CHAPtER  VIII. 


^ 


<c 


THE  TRIUMPH   OF  PASSION* 

"All  Other  passions  have  their  hour  of  thihkhiflr>      ' 
And  hear  the  voice  of  reason.     This  alone 
Sweeps  the  soul  in  tempests."' 

WELL,"  $aid  Aunt  Moll,  to  her  sbii  ftftd  ^r, 
Lem,  as  he  entered  the  long,  high  kitchen  of 
■  •  ""  CatnpbeH's  Lod^e,  "IvvoCild  lilce  ter  know 
what  dat  fer  Master  Drutnmin's  tip  ter  ?  I  doesiit  Uhdcr- 
stan'  deseycr,  new-fangled  ^Gjing  men  'tall.  Fiist  hl^ 
comes  a  courtin*  of  our  M^a^Ml,  iahd  Jes'  as  soon  as  her 
baclc's  turned  ^-^  --^-^  -i^/i  ^rt* -«»  i«i,«e  ««  •^aa  a^*  a- 

MtsiS  Chrissy.' 

iJ'«'Ttiint  no  business  yoiir'n,  olie  Vp-oinaBl/*  saH  JUeitt, 
gruffly.  I  'spec's  as  how  Marse  Drummini' kttows  what 
hfe'siboiif 


H  . 


baclc's  turned  he  goes  ri&.^'^an'  lakes  up  wid  dat  ftr 


•ni 


«»<>• 


"Yes^ 


jlit|t.'J)Cftrs  to  ac^ 


S5^-q 


8a  ' 


TBB  wmUMPB  OP  PAsaioir,  "  "        V 


1- 


■\ 


Sibyl  'bout  it.     Ef  he  is  her  beau,  he  oughtn't  to  be  takia\ 
up  wid  dat  ar  Miss  Chrissy."  v^ 

"Better  let  Miss  Sibyl  look  arter  her  own  beaii,"  ''' 
replied  her  dutiful  son.  "  How  does  ye  know  he's  a  i- 
courtin' Miss  Chrissy  ?"  .  rr 

-  ,  ^    ".'Gause  I  seed  dem,  chile—yes  I  did— las'  night,  down 
on  de  shore.    De  moon  was  shinin'  jes*  as  bri^ht.ast  new 

.pin,  an'  I  took  dat  ar  litter  o'  kittens  down  to  de  shore  to 
drown  'em,  when  I  seed  Marse  Drummin**  walkin'  along 
wid  Miss  Chrissy,  and  he.had'his  head  stooped  do^yn  jes'* 
so,"— and  Aunt  Moll  du^iked  her  woolly  head  to  illustrate 

.  k— "an'  was  whisperin'  soft  stuff,  jes'  as  folks  do  when 
dey're  in  love." 

"  Well,  what  den  ?"  asked  Lem,  growing  interested. 
*^  Well  d^noome  up  an'  seed  me,  in  course,  an'.  Lor*. 
Lor' !  i^^jes'  wish  you  seed  de  look  Marse  Drummin'  give 
me.  *Peared  as  ef- he'd  a  liked  to  knocked  my  ole  head 
off.  But  I  warn't  afeared,  'deed  I  warn't,  chile  ;  so  I  jes' 
stood  still  an'drapped  a  courtesy,  ^n' Miss  Chrissy,  she 
got  red  rite  up  to  de  roots  ob  her  hair.  '  G^od-evenin',  • 
marse  and  young  miss,  sez  I  ;  'don't  Jje^g^eertd;  I  onlV 
wants  to  droi^^ese  little  kittens,'  sez  I.  for  I  thought  a? 
I  might  be  pertite  jest  as  well  as  not.         ^  -^^ 

;  '  "  '^h,  how  does  yer  do,  Anji^Moll  ?'  sez  Miss  Chrissy, 
a  laughin'  an'.blushin' ;  'hbw^^em  and  yer  rheumatiz' 
tlese  times  ?'  -       -  ^  •  * 

"  *  T'ank  you,  honey,'  sez  I,  'dey's  pretty  ^eU,  bbf '^oli  i 
dera;'  •     ^  ' 

|;nVAii'  den  l^arse.  Drummin'  he,  pulled  her  arm  Hghf 
iroo  his'n,  anjl  marched  her  oif  wid  him  ;  an'  den  I  pitched 
de  kittens  right  in  de  water  an'  come  h6me."  '^  .'... 

"Well,  dat  ar  warn't  much,"  said  the  Skeptical  te<|, ' 
"D|^  might  be  walkin'  on  de  bejfcbj  but  that  ain<t'i^ffi'  ; 


'^wt?!is^9m 


*.-?S(^?WBW3^KK 


s  ^ 

i- 

■»    ■' . ' 

—  "^ 

»wa 

)~ 

lew 

J  to 

* 

ate    . 

'»< 

w 

< 

ive 

iad     ' 

as' 

she 

. 

n',  • 

ily 

as 

^ 

t-'  f^ 


-i*^     T^  ^it^wy* 


'^'^r^^p 


l!fl»    TBIUMPB   OF  PASSION, 


j  •  i  . 

means  courtin'.  Marse  EJfeumtnin' walk  wid  her,  'cause 
Miss  Sibyl's  gone,  an'  he  ain't^jgot  nobody  else /to  talk  to." 
"'Cisely  so,  chile  ;  but  dat  ain't  all,"  says  /Aunt  Moll. 
\  f'Dis  berry  raornin;  as  I  Was  passin'  troo/de  hall,  de 
sittin'-room  door  was  open,  and  I  heered  voices  a  lalkin* 
(iere  ;  so  I  listened  and  peeketl^  in,  an'  dalr  was  M^fse 
Drummin',  rampin'  up  and  down,  a  talking/to  his^elf." 

"Well,  dat  ain't  nothin',  eider,"  said,  thte  stiff  contrar 
dictory  Lem.     "  I've  hearn  dat  ar  Carl  talk /to  hisself  whea 
..Miss  Tom  sent  him  out  to  work  ;  an'  he  ain't  in  love  wid 
no  one." 

"  But  lisftin,  honey,  and  don't  you  be    puitiu'  me  out 

So,  'cause  Hain't  'spectful — 'deed  it  ain't,"  said  Aunt  Moll, 

^^  €^  getting,  slightly  indignant,     "  As  I  was  sayin,'  I  clapt  rtiy 

e£|^tade;0ooi;^an''%4i(eered  him  sayia?  jes'  as  plain  as 

^    iiothin"tiill ;  ^.  ^^^^     . 

TVr*^;...  **  'Oh,  discha,Titing,onw?i'dering  Chrissy  !  ef  I  had  neb- 

rn^tyou,  I  might  yet  be  happy!'    i:)2|r,  what  he  say 

*^'  ef  Jhe  warn't  in  lub,  ?"        "  '   .   '        ' 

_..Ts  last  was  a  settler.     Lem  felt  that  his  nfother  had 

/the  best  ofthe  argument,  and  unwilling  to  seem  defeated^* 

he  went^out,  leaving  the  old  lady  to  enjoj^lier  triu«iph; 

Three  days  had  passed  sipce  the  depiarture  of  Sibyl, 
and  certainly  Willard's  conduct  seemed  to  justify  Adnt 
Moll's  suspicions.  Unable  to  break  th4  thrall  which 
bound  feij^,  wishing,  yet  unable  to  fly, from  the  spell  (>| 
^ 'the  ^nchanftfess^  he  lingered  still  by  her  side.  ThetO' 
were  shame,  dishonor,  sin,  rn  remaining, Jbut  oh!  ther^ 
were  death,  misery,  and  desolation  in  g^ing^  All  world- 
ly considerations,  her  unicnuwn  birth^^l^r  obscure  con- 
■  nectious,  her  lowly  rank,  .were  swept  away  Uka  ^ails  of 
cobwfib  Defdre  xhe  fierce  t<(rreat  Q£|Cassi3n  that*«ver?' 


^ 


? 


.-.f  -y 


t>iij.'V'*?«i»v>'' 


'*' 


■^Mt 


11  "*' 

i  1    ' 


CS2^ 


Uli 


r:*^  t^^Mps  of  PAssiok 


whelmed^  conquered  every  other  feeling  in  its  impetuous 
tid«  ■ 

Aod  she  loved  him,  this  angel  of  beauty,  this  fjiiry 
princess  of  the  isle  ;  he  could  see  it  in  the  quick  flush  of 
'joy  at  his  approach,  the  quick,  burning  glances  shot 
from. her  beax^tiful  eyes,  more  quickly  averted  when  they 
.  met  his— her  low,  impassioped  tones,  her  bright,  beautiful 
blushes.  There  was  joy,  tliere  was  rapture  iqthe  thought ; 
and  yet,,  unless  he  forgot  honor;  vows,  ail  that  should 
Iiavfe  been  sjacred,  what  did  this  love  avail  ? 

And  so,  like  a  tempesft-tossed  bark  on  a  tempest-tossed 
sea,  he  strove  with  passion  and  honor,  love  and  remorse, 
right  and  wrong. 

^  Once  only,  fearing  lest  her  suspicions  might  be  aroused 
,by  his  absence,  he  had  visited  Sibyl,  whose  rapturous 
greeting  and'confiding  love  made  him  feel  far  more  of  a 
villain  than  ever.*  He  looked  forward  with  dread  to  the 
period  of  her  return,  fearjrjg  for  the  discovery  of  liis 
falsity  ;  but,  more  than  all,  fearing  for  the  effects  of  her 
fierce  wrath  oir  Cliristie,  knowing  well  what  must  be  the 
Strength  of  Sibyl's  passion  when  unchained. 

And  so,  when  Mrs.  Brantwell  proposed  that  Sibyl 
fhoukl  remain  Avith  her  another  week,  instead  of  return- 
ing to  t^e  dreary  isle,  instead  of  feeling  irritated  now,  he 
backed  the  proposal,  saying  that  perhaps  it  would  be  bet- 
*tcr  {at  her  to  do  so,  more  especially  during  her  brother's 
absence.  /   •  , 

And  Sibyl,  in  her  deep  love  and  woman's  trust,  silsv 
^piecting  nothing,  fearing  nothing,  consented,  to  the  inward 
Joy  and  sincere  relief  of  hek  false  lover.       ^ 

Resolving  to  visit  her  frequently,  and  so  allaj  ^ny 
suspicions  that  his  absence  might  give  ri^^  to,  Wi^iard 
DruBimond  returned  to  the  island  and  to — Christie,  ^ield* 


t.«-'^£fe' 


*»  ..TjK. 


■Sf^^Sftfe' 


jm  TRiirMm  oi'  PABBiok  '*t^ 

mg  himself  witbout  further  e^ort  to  the  witching  spell  olf 

her  love.  '  *      j         Jt. 

Urs  Tom  suspected  nothing  of  the  contraband  court- 
'     inff  carried  on  unde/ber  very  eyes.     It  was  the  most  nat- 
ural thing  in  the  v/orld,  she  thought,  that,  in  the  absence 
of  Sibyl  and  her  brother,  the  young  man  should  spend 
whole  days  with  them,  for  it  was  not  pleasant  having  up  • 
0;he  to  talk  to  but  a  couple  of  negroes,  as  she  veigr  well 
knew     Then,  it  was  not  to  be  wondered  at,  that  he  pre- 
ferred talkihg  and  walking  with  Christie  to  any  of  the 
/rest    for  slie  was  " book-rarned"  like    himself,   which 
/  neither  she  nor  Carl  was.    She  did  wonder  a  little  some- 
times,  and  said  as  much  ta Christie,  why  he  should.  Stay 
on  the  island  at  all,  in  the  absence  of  the  other.  | 

"« Bxii    I  suppose,"  was  always  her  conclusion,      It  t 
becaus Jit's  Miss  Sibyl's  home,  and,  for  h^^^ke,  he  stays^ 
there  utitil  she  comes."  J  /  *!.  .,     / 

adt  Christie,  though  she  only  blushed  an*  was  silent, 
was  of  a  different  opinion— one  that  she  woiiid  scarcely 
own /to  her  oxvn  heart.     As  to  his  being  in^love  With 
Chr4ie  .Mrs.  Tom  would  have  scouted  6h«  ideft  with 
sco/n  and  unbelief,  had  she  heard  it.     Every  ciccum|^ance 
wa^  against  such  a  conclusion.     He,was  rich,  highly  con- 
nected, and  proud  as  a  prince  6f  the  blood ;  she  wis  poor, 
.  uiiknown,  and,  comf)ared  with  him,  uneducat^.    Besides, 
iii  the  good  widow's  opinion,  she  was  a  child  in  feeling, 
as  she  certainly  was  in  years,  scarcely  knowing  the  -»-*«- 
ing  pf  the  word  love. 

Ah  '  she  had  been  till  he  came  ;  and  his  fervid,  impas- 
sioned words,   his  burning  glances,  his  thrilling  touch,  > 
had  swept  away  the  glamour  of  childhood  and  pmphcity, 
and  revealed  to  her  the  passionate  woman's  heirt  wtthm ' 
her.    His  words,  hia  looks,  his  tones,  were  ftU  nfcw  rcV<aa»- 


f  f 


j^s 


-I" 


ft<^ 


'-  ♦  „"« 


n 


t    M 


;-!•*"(,(«, 


rjZ»    TBIUMPB   OF  PASaiOS 


^"1^ 


pc       ^ 


M*  ^ 


ions  fo  the  artl^s..,sland  maiden,  changing  her,  as  if  by 
majic,  from  a  child  to  a  woman.  She  revered  him  as  the 
embodiment  of,,alI- that  was  brave,  generous,  and  noble; 
l^rshipped  him  a^  a  god.  anjj^  loved  him  ,  with  ail  the 
.  affection  of  her  fresh,  young  heart,  with  all  the  ardor  of 
a  first,  deep  lave.  ^  . 

As  yet,  she  knew  ntTt  whether  that  love  was  returned  • 
for  unfaithful  as  he  was  in  thought  to  Sibyl,  passion  had 
not  yet  so  totally  conquered  his  reason  as  to  make  him 
sin  m  words.  He  had  never  said,  "  (^hristie,  I  love  you  ■" 
but,  ah,  hovv  oftfen  had  his  eyes  said  this,  and  muchiore  • 
and  how  long  would.this  slight  barrier  stand  before  the 
fiery  impetuosity  of  unstable  yoiiih  ? 

And  so  that  day  passed,  and  the  next,  and  thenext.and 
the  next,  and  with  every  passing  hour  thfe  temptation 
grew  stronger  and  harden.^  be  resisted.     Matters  must^" 
cojn'e  to  a  crisis  now,  or  never.     Sibyl,  in  a  day  or  two 
would  be  home,  and  this  wild  frenzy  of  his  could  be  hid'     ■ 
den  no  longer.      If  she  should  come,  as  matters  stood 
no\t,  all  would  be  lost.  /    . 

^rid  tlius  tcl-n.between  conflicting  emotions.  Willard 
sought  Christie,  on  the  day  before  Sibyl  was  expected 
home,^wUh  the  determination:6;  bringin,^  this  struggle  to 
ao, end,  then  and  thew.  Vh.,    \  ^h'^'w 

•1  ^-T1  !^''"°"'  ^"^"''  afternoon,  the  ishuui  W(Trc 
Its  bright  dr<iss  of  green,  and  nesded  in  .the  blue  sliirun  ^ 
river  like  an  emerald  set  in  sapphire.     The  fi.xf.  in  ,',^ 

?  J""!^^'''''' ''-^  filling  the  air  with  rhcir  mclodV  ' 
and^the  odbr  of  the  wild  roses  came  floating  softly  on  tfie  ^ 
summer  breeze.  ,  ^\  /     .  ii*c 

.^ut  Willard  Drumrhond  was  in 'no  mood  to  admire 
the  beauties  of  Nature.     The  mofning  had  |?cen  spent  in    * 
pacing  up  an4  down  his  rooin,.hesita^ng,  resolving. 


..     * 


•  '^vAti-rf  ^. 


"*        b^^P?S. 


r 

' 

/' 

^*7 

« 

X 

< 
.■*1>> 

,     t 

.     < 

s\'% 

•"*•; 


I 


THE    TRIUJSPB    OP  pABBiOK  ;rfl^    .  ;:: 

dQ^btipg,  wishing,  yet  undecided  still.  For,  when  auty 
,  and  principle  would  appear  for  a  moment  victorious,  the 
waving  golden  hair,  the  beautiful  bltie  eyes,  the  gentle, 
loving  fiice  of  Christie  would  arise  before  him,  scattering 
all  his  good, resolutions  to^ie  winds.  And,  mingled  with 
this,  there  was  a  sort  of  superstitious  foreboding  of  evil 
to  corpe.  He  thoupjht  of  his  dream,  and  of  the  yellow- 
haired  siren  luring  him  on  to  destruction  ;  and  of  Sibyli 
, fiery  daughter  of  a  fiery,  race,  fierce^  vindictive and'^pi- 
plgcable  in  her  wrongs.       .  ,  .  - 

"Oh,  that  I  had  never  met  this  dark,  passionate  girl !" 
he  murmured,  distractedly,  "  who  now  stands  between  me 
And  the  heaven  of  ^y  dreams  ;  or  would  that  I  had  seen 
this  beautiful,  enchanting  Christie  first!  Oh,  ffot  that 
apgel  as  my  wife !  And  but  for  those  fatal  vows  once 
'made  to  Sibyl,  she  might  be  iT^ine.  I  was  mad,  cra;;ed,  to 
mistake  my  fancy  for  that  d'^^rk,  wild-eyed  girl  for  love  ! 
And  now,  for  that  one  mislake.  am  I  to  be  wretched  for 
life?  Shall  I  give  up  this  beautiful,  radiant  crlature, 
who  loves  me,  for  one  I  care  for  nXr  lor^er?-  No;  ,the 
struggle  is  past.  Chlistie  shall  be  my  bride,  and  I  will, 
brave  the  worst  that  may  follow  !"  ■> ^     .'    , • 

He  set  his  teeth  hard  ;  and,  as  if  fea,ring  second  reflec- 
tion might  majce  him  change  his  mi%d,  he  left  the  ihousd. 
and  hurried  out  to  meet  Christie.       >        *■*  .        il 

Down  on  the  shore„undertl^e  shade  of  an  Averhang- 
ing  willow,  he  knew  Chrisiie  had  a  tavorite  seat,  where, 
on  pleasant  days,  slie  used  totake  Kcr  work.  llere  he 
was  sure  of  findipg  her,  and  in  tfiis  (^ircction  he  bent  bis 
^teps^  ',."■     /  ^  ■/"■■^-':'' 

She  sat,  sewiiig,  under  the  shade  of  the  drodping  wil- 
low, bilging  softly  to  herself,  and  looking  Uke  ^omd  vA- 


V      ■"•« 


v. 

J  'i} 


.3-   ', 


*  K 


1  ^  "-v*-^ 


\ 


s» 


f^mifiipjs  b»  hisstt^. 


>, 


-^is^^**1  ^^®  6lFa%lvan  scene,;  dl^  sortie  befiuiiful  sea- 
nfthpih,  just  risen  from  her  grotto  of  coral  and  chrystal, 
fj\  Radiant  and  bewildering  was  the  smile  and  blush  with 
whiqh  she  welcomed  ^im—a  smile  and  bliish  tl|at  mfght 
^havejbeen  found  too  strong  even  for  more  potent  princi- 
ples than  his.  ." 

He  seated  himself  beside  her,  with  a  look  of  moSy 
^  abst^rtion,  all  unusual  with  him,  watching  iber  covertly 

gi-  ^  from  under  his  eyelashes,  as  she  bent  smiliri^  and  happy 
^^      ;    over  her  worjcv  ^  %. 

:      For  a  time,  GhristieT chatted  gay^  on  various  common- 

,    place  matters  ;  but,  at  last,  catching  her  tone  from  his, 

,  She,  too,  grew  silent  and  thoughtful.     She  bent  Jower 

dver  her  work,  Wondering  if  she  had  offended  him,  and 

itivoluntanly  sighed. 

^,      He  heard  it,  and  said  : 

.      ^'And   wherefore  that  sigh,  Christie!    Are  you  \iti 
^i-hjappyr^'. 

'' No  not  unhappy ;  but  troubled." 
"  And  why  should  you  be  troubled,  bright  one ?    What 
can  there  be  to  grieve  one  so  fair  ?"  ■ 

;*  I— I— feared  I   had   offended  you,"    she  aiisWered, 
timidly.,    "You  appear  out  of  spirits." 

"  You  offend  me,  gentle  one— you  who  never  offended 
'  uny  one  in  your  life  ?    No,  no  ;  it  is  not  that."  / 
"Then  you  ace  unhappy,"  she  said,  shyly.    / 
'      ••  Yes,  I  am  miserable— wretched  !"  he  cri4d,  y^ei 
«ntly.     ♦'  I  wish  to  Heaven  I  had  ijever  b^en  bjbrn/' 

**  Oh,  Mr.  Drummond  !  what  has  happenecjf  !"ihe  crie^, 

;  laying  her  hand  on  his,- and  looking  up  wilfully  in  Lis 

"  ^^^-  -   •■  .*••-■'  ■  I   ■■'  /  ■ 

He^  touch,   hfer  tone,  her*loo!i    sv^^ptl  away  fe4ry 

»^inaining  tiace  o<  fidelity.    He  forgot  evcrytliini  he 


*    1. 


/ 


laZff  ^JUUMPS  OF   PASBJtm. 


.r- 


irr- 


r 


/. 


.IliQuId  havte  retnembered — his  vows,  his  honor,  his truth=- 
/aawdt  saw  nothing  but  the  bright,  radiant;:  bewildering 
vision  before  him.     In  an  instant  he  was  on  his.icpees  at 
her  feet,  exclaiming,  with  impassi9ned  vehemedce  : 

.*f Christie!  Christie!  my  life,. my  drea'm,  my  hop«x;I 
'  love  ypu.  /  See,  I  am  at  your  feet,  where  my  heart,  my 
name,  my  fortune,"  long  have  been.  With  n»y  whole 
heart,  and  soul,  and  life,  I  love  you  with  a  love  sMTbrigfer 
than  death  or  the  grave.  All  the  devotion  and  hopes  at 
my  life  I  ofEer  you,  if  you  can  only  say  you  love  me."      .'- 

He  was  pale  and  panting;  his  eyes  were  fierce^ an& 
burning  ;  his  tones  low,  thrilling,  ajid  passionate.        \  ^ 

Tremblrag,  shrinking,  blushing,    yet,    with^  a   deep, 

intense,  fervent  joy  thrilling  through  her  heart  and  being^. 

Christie  listened.     The  bloodswept  in  torrents  to  her  face, 

neck,  and  bosom,  which^yose^aud  fell  with  her  rapid 

>  breathing.    She  dare  not  look  up  to  meet  his  ardent 

I  burning,  gaze.  ' 

"C|hristie,  Christie !    my    love,   my    life !' Jook    up'; 
speak—answer  me — tell  me  that  you  love  me !  '>>  -* 

Still    no -reply,   only   those   downcast  eyes,  deepest 
blushes,  and  quick,  hurried  breathing.  -      '|*^ 

"Speak  !  speak!   py  beautiful  love!   only  one  word 
from  those  sweet  lips  ;  but  one  touch  of  your  dear  hand    V 
to  tell  me  I  may  liv/e,"  he  cried,  growing  more  wild  and  -^y^^ 
impassioned.  ^  •*# 

Wiih/a  low,  gl4d  cry  of /intense  joy,  she  buried  hiefi*" 
blusjiin^  face  on  his  sliouldc^r.  \ 

"  Thanks  !  m^  heart's  thanks  for  ihis  sweetest,  loyeli-: 
est  Christie !"  he  cried,  with  exultant  joy,  pressing  her 
yielding  form  to  his  bounding  heart.  "  My  life,  with  all 
its  hopes,  energies,  and  ambitions,  shall  be  devoted  to  but 
one  purpose  liow — that  of  rewarding  you  for  your  {»ico> 
'less love"  '/  ,<?  '-;  ^■-•,:  '     ^'     ,"/  . 


\u»'.>jri«tfei 


^fl^p;. 


:4 


*7X 


Wfi  ^ 


■3.  ■  i  ^    ' 


"tt^l 


fiO 


rfl2?*  miujifpii  OF  pAsaiosr. 


f  » 


miZT.      A  ^'^"°^™ond  now,  sweetest  Christie.     I  am 
»^»//ar// to  y6u,  now  and  forever     Let'm^o-  \. 

that  name  in  musi^c  from  your  1  ins    LT       ?l'  ^'^' 
higher  boon  in  store  for  me.7  P''  ^"^   ""^"^  ^^^  "^ 

nnJf"  °-  •  ''f"  ^°"   ^°^^  "^«  thus-me,a  noor  little 
nameless,   uncultured    girl,  while   vo,.  ^«     R^or,  little, 

guished,  an.d  highly  Jnn^ct^S     d^.    Wi  Ld    .Wm"'"' 
not,  some"  dav  renpnf  thi^     u  •  "'•"arcl,  will  you 

^ver  perjure  the  words  I  have  ^r.ni,««  ^  ,  ^  '        ^ 

be  my  soul,  when  it  is  falst  lo  Tee  "  hTrrL^^'  T'''' 
sionate  vehemence.  ^     '         ''"^^'  "^^'^  P^^- 

Hey^'T^^H^'"^'^^"''^''    I  do  not  dc^bt  you- 

f^rrr:  !::'''•  ^  ^^^-^^  ^^^^  ^^^  ^^--^^^  you  c^^ 
bea:^^!-:,;!^!!:-^:::-;^^^ 

to  make  me  the  happiest  of  men "'^  ^^  ''  ''^""^'"^'  ^ 

inquf^/'r  '''  '""""'  ''"  ""'  ^  ^r^  o^  --est 
j  "Ghrikvone  little  word  from  you^,,«fi7I  ere  the  sua 
I  .e  on  a  new  day,  my  joy  will  be  comVcre-my  cup  o^ 
'-  .^nhly  hnpp.ness  will  he  filled  tdthe  brim  -  ^ 

^       Still  the  same  earnest,  anxiou]  ga2^ 

'*  Dearest  love,  you  will  not  refuse?     It  will  be  hut  « 
.small  -matter  to  you.  and    win    r«.i;  * 

/blessed."  >ou,  and^will    make   me    supremely 

"And  that?"  she  inquiredfwonderiogl/         -         •     v- 


1 


vj 


t*fy^,  *;;  ■t*  5    ■fjj 


fM' 


.^' 


THE   TBIVMI^  OF  PAI^ON. 


a 


,  "  Brightest  Christie,  l^  my  bride — my  wife  !"  he  cried, 
folding  her  closer  in  his  arms,  and  speaking  in  a  thrilling 
tlrhisper. 

Again  the  eloquent  blood  swept  over  her  stainless 
neck  and  bosom,*'bi/t  she  did  not  reply. 

'*  You  will  not  refuse  me,  my  own  Christie,  this  last, 
greatest  favor?  Comply  now — to-day  v  for  if  the  present 
opportunity  passes,  it  may  never  occuf  again."        '^ 

"But  how— ^<?a;  can  we  be  Wdded  here?"  ?he  said, 
shyly,  lifting  her  eyes  to  his  impassioned  ones,  and  drop- 
ping them  in  brightest  blushes.  «,  > 

"Christie,  yonder  lies  a  boat ;  lit  is  three  hours  to  sunr 
set ;  long  be.fore  that  time  we  jcan  reach  Westport ;  there 
we  can  find  a  clergyman,  and  there  you  can  become  my 
own  for  life !"  /     *  ,  ; 

,^«^ut  it\is  so  soon — so  sudden,"  she  faltered  ;  "an'S 
AunrTom—sVie  will  never  consent."  -^b-^ 

"She  would  not  consent  any  way,  fairest   <|Shristie. 
She  would  s^y  you  were,  too  young — too  fsfr  in  social " 
pbsition  beneath  rae.    Sbe  would  not  believe  my  intentions  . 
honorable.     In  short,  dearest,  she  would  raise  a  thousand  ' 
objections,  and  the  end  would  be,  tliat  we  would  be  partedv 
forever "  '  ,  ' 

"  Oh,  Willard  !  it  would  not  be,s6  bad  as  thit ;  if  yoii 
ex^plained  it  all  to  her,  I  think  she  would  consls'nt.  Aunt 
ToiH  is  good  and  kind,  and  loves  me,  and,would  dot' any* 
thing\o  make  me  happy."  /  \M,       '       ,''* 

"  Imx.  may  be,  brightest  Christie  ;  but  that  very  Jove 
she  has  foXyou,  and  her  wish  to  make  you  happy,  wou^ld 
crftJ^c  her  lo^csiiaie.     For  she  would  repeat  the  old.  sense- 
less saying,  'Marry  in  haste  and  repent  at  leisure,',  and  ,  • 
think  the  best  way  to  n^akc  n     Imiii  hiyj./ilii mould  be  td  ■ 
po^pone  our  marriage  for  years." 


".<*1 


•t  ?f*vl 


,atf'y| 


/—-I 


y 


iV*CL  4t»^. 


SSTS 


n 


I    ".* 


n  , 


'  k 


stmtrkja'M  or  i^ABi^ON. 


A, 


"  But  thfs  secret  raarriige,  it  seems  wrong— sinful. 
Oh,  Willardy  my  soul  revolts  from  It  J  If  I  could  onlv  tell 
Aunt  Tom  ptrie'd  Christie,  imploringly. 

"  when'tfie  proper  time  comes,  deisirest  love,  she  shall 
know,  and  the  -world  shall  belfold,  my  beautiful  bride. 
But  until  then,  you  must  have  confidence  in  me,  and 
wait;".,  -     )  ^ 

"  But,  oh  i  I  have  such  a  presentiment  bf  wiiat  mty 

follow,  Wtllard^irsuch  a  cloud  seems  to  enshroud  this 

secret  iparriage,  that  my  very  soul  shrinks  from  it  in  fear." 

'•,  "^^"s'^®''!^P  said,  drawing  back,  and  speaking  ink 

deeply  offen^M^e,  "you  do  not  love  me  !" 

'      ^^^  ^^dB^^'S^t,  beautiful  eyes,  so  full  of  love 

:and  ^^^^'^^^HP^^l  not  soeak.    No  ^words  could  have 

told  siich  a  W^f  perfect,  intense  love,' as  did  that  quick, 

,'  eloquent  glance! 

*'  You  do  not  love  me,"  he  went  on,  in  the  same  deepli 

hurt  tone;  *'you  have  nq  confidence  in  me,  no  tru*l^^ 

^faith.    I  have  given  you  my  reasons,  good  and  valid  to 

-  an,y.xiiig  e|sej^^but  of  no  avail  with  yoti.     If  you  caredsior 

me,  you  would  be  content  to  wait,  with  perfect  trust  in 

iny  love  ;  but  I  see  you- will  nqt  trust  me.     Be  it  so  ;  there 

remains  nothing  for  me  but, to  leave  you  forever." 

_    "Oh,  Willard  !"  was  all  she  could  say,  as  her  voice  was 

choked  in  tears.  \ 

"  I  thouglit  I  had  found  an  artless,  loving,  trusting 
girl,"  he  went  oh,  with  increased  bitterness  ;  "but  I  have 
found  one  who*  will  not  yield  in  the  slightest  iota,  lest  she 
should  compromise  herself  in  the  eyes  of  the  world,  who 
fears  what  it  will  say  of  her  more  than  she  loves  me ! 
Farevyell,  Christie  !  we  nsive  met  for  the  last  time,  ^ince 
you  care  for  your  aunt  more  than  for  me,  I  leave  you  to 
her^**  ^ 


'•"I^' 


fR|JKiM^  ^  MAmow. 


He  ajfose,  coldly  and  haughtily,  to  go. 
"Oh,  Willard !  do  not  ledve  me!"  was  her 


'    '^t. 


iyH>aate 
t^roly  do 


..^. 


cry.    "  I  will  do  anything^  be  anything  you  aslfPlnly  do 
not  leave  me  in  anger  !** 
"Will  you  be  my  Wife?" 
:  -"Yes."  / ■        •  ■  ■  ■■.  ' 

-   *'To.hight?"K    -  •        .  ^>        , 

^     *' Oh,  yes  !  to-night  and  forever  1"' 

"  My  own  gentle  love !"  he  whispered,  prctssing  hey 
fotdly  in  his  arms,  "  will  you  go  and  get  ready,  and  retuf  a      /  -f. 
to  me  heri^in  a^quartcr  of  an  hour  ?"         /     /  ']    x^ 

"  But|what  shall  I  say  to  Aunt  Tona--ihow  account  for    / 
royabstJnce?"  "  ■  "  ■     '  *'    :  :/  .   _     ».  / 

"/Leave  that  to  me,  dearest.    In  a |bw  minutes  J  will/  . 


foll6w  you  to  the  cottage,  and  asfe  her  to  let  you  take  a,'  Tij 

sailrwith  mc  on  the  river„  by  moonlight ;  she  iv;iU  ^0|t  i^ 
tuse  me."            ->.                         '                        ,         ' 

"  As  you  will,"  s^id  Christie,  turning  toward  her  honjie.  ,7^ 

While  Willard,  triujmphant^  exulting,  and ' dijEzy  with  jby^  ;  \-- ' 


■^t 


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TSS    naiON  OF   TEB  18LB 


j«i>. 


-'^..    '^      CHAPTER   IX. 

'    /  THE  VISION  OF  THE  ISLE. 

'  .        riP^rn f  ^-  •  u**'°l''  '  '°'  ^J^^e  «t  comes  airain  f 

I II  cross  It  though  it  blast  me.     Stay,  iuSi 

Ifthou  hast  any  sound,  or  use  a^o£;°' 
Speak  to  me  I"  . 

r  )  '  Hamlet. 

FICKLE  fortune,  that  often  favor^  the  wrong  and 
erring,  certainly  smiled  on  the  lovers  that  dav      F«^ 

«l>en  I  uin't  go.  a  c.p  „•  tea  for  my  bTe"k  tt  •  ,  J^""' 
no  use  .ryin'  tp  make  ,ha.  there  good'^r  lot  ,in" C    ^  ' 

~o ....  »X-:s":.^rL;r;ot\r;^T'a^ 

JVirs.  lom  crave  the  pn»  n.b-.-^i,      u-  ■  •'^  '      ■'*"Ci 

"'  «  Mr"  Drum  J"'/""^ '    """  ''^''  ^°"  S°-'  '<>  l»  ?" 
mr.   Urummond   is  e-oin&-    nvr^r  »^    m  * 

evening,  and  he  wanted  me Tfo  with  h  m  '^'^^  •  '"^^ 
turning  away  to  hide  a  risLg  blusl  J' r^^^'^.f '^"^^^^ 
there."  •      ^^ .  *•  *  **"  ®*sily  get  it 


^i'- 


fi  i-f  i7-'m 


TBB    VISION   OF   IBB   18LS. 


98 


«  So  you  can,"  said  Mrs.  Tom,  considering  ;  "  but  will 
Mr.  Drummond  return  early?" 

"Yes,".saidt;hristie;  "he  has  some  slight  busituss  to  ^ 
transact,  and  then  te  is  coming  immediately  home.     The 
sail  will  be  pleasant  by  moonlight,  antj.  I'd  like  to  go."       ^ 

"Well,  go,  then  ;  and  don't  be  gon^any  longer  than 
you  can  help.     Get  two  poun's  of  hyson  at  Mr.  Ginger's." 

"Yes  ma'am,"  said  Christie;  taking  the  money,  and 
putting  on  he^  hat  and  shawl,  in  a  trembling,  agisted 
way,  that  at  any  other  time  Mrs.  Tom  must  have  noticed. 

She  hurried  out,  and  on  her  way  met  Willard  coming 
up  to  the  house.  ^       ■>«. 

"Well,  has  Mrs.  Tom  given  you  permission?"  he 
asked,  in  pleased  surprise. 

Christie  related  her  errand.  - 

"The  gods  favor  us  !"  he  cried,  gayly.  "See,  Christie  ! 
the  sun  is  approaching  the  west,  and  before  it  dies  out',pf 
the  sky,  you  will  be  what  Heaven  has  destined  you  for— 
my  wife  !" 

"  And  to  be  that  for  one  hour,  is  bliss  enough  td^f^pay 
for  a  whole  life  of  misery,"  she  said,  with  j^Hfelt 
earnestness, 

"  With  my  own  Christie  !     Will  I  ever  be  able  to  repay 
you  for  this  grace,  this  greatest  earthly  blessing  that 
Heaven  could  bestow  upon  me  ?"  he  said,  fervently. 

"  The  knowledge  of  your  love  more  than  repays  m^  ^* 
for  I  have' made  no  sacrifice,"  she  said,  in  a  low  tone. 

They  had  now  reached  the  boat.  He  handed  her  ta^ 
pushed  oflf  the  .boat,  took  the  oars,  and  rowed  away.  ,,>^ 

But  other  ey«s  they  dreamed  not  of  Were  upon  them. 
From  one  of  the  windows  of  the  high  chambero^f  Camp, 
bell's  Lodge,  Aunt  Mq^I  and  her  son,  Lem  w««  takinr 
observationa.  '    ' 


•  y'i 


■.^'M 


tiiJtlaMiSmuiWa 


^. 


5*    "^V 


r*« 


few  ^' '  4 — 

^4 


5 


"Dar  dey  go!— oflf  a  sailioV    Wh^t  will   Miss  Sibyl 
say  to  dat  ?"  observed  the  indignant  Aunt  Moll. 

"  Goin*  out  sailin'  doesn't  signify  nothin'.  De  young 
|^9ib1um  wants  somebody  to  talk  to  as  he  rows." 

f*'Tai6't  right,"  said  Aunt   Moll,   with  an  oracular 

shake  of  the  head;    "dar's  sumfin  wrong,  somewhere. 

Pon't  b'lieve  Miss  Sibyl  would  'prove  of  it,  nohow  ;  dese 

JfC''  young  inen  ain't  to  be  trusted  nowadays." 

r      "  It's  nat'ral  Marse  Drummin  would  get  tired  o'  one 

|j:al— mos'  young  men  do— and  take  up  wid  anoder,  for  a 

•  change.    I'd  do  it  myself,"  concluded  Lem,  in  a  pompous 

frtone.  ,  ,;■ 

"  You  woj^ild  ?"  said  his  mother,  in  high  dudgeon .;  "  as- 
if  any  gal  'd  look- at  you,  you  brack  fool,  Marse  Drum- 
min will  get  hisself  inter  a  hornet's  nest,  if  he  trifles  wid 
4e 'fections  ?ob  Miss  Sibyl.  I's  come^^e  disclusion  to 
conform  Miss  Sibyl  ob  his  goings^gl^Kn  as  ebber  she 
arrives.     Dar !"  "i^^ 

And  having  thus  settled  the  ma^r  to  her  own  entire 
satisfaction,  Aunt  Moll  descended  to  the  kitchen,  and 
^ooft  forg^all  sublunary  tjjiihgs  in^  the  celestial  b|iss  of 
smoking' sffhort,  dirty  pipe,  as  black  and  stuijrpy^s  her- 

M^lt"»f  the  erring  young,  pair  were  swiftly  skim- 
rtiing  "over  tfie  bright  paters  in  the  dir^tion  of  VVestport. 
•'^^^  l^^*^  °^^*^^''?K  Pf«J^¥^^  ^h^  ppssibiUty  of  conver- 
^'^^'^f  *"4  Wh  wer^  sil^ent  and  thouglitfui;    Urg€?d  on 
J?/ h^f  intense  desire  <>f  coraipletingj  what  lie  had  so  suc- 
cessful ly  begun— urged  on,  perhaps,  by  Fate— the  boat 
aeeiQed  fairly  tq  fly  over  the  sparkling,  sun-bright  waves. 
Ere  the  last  ray  of  sunlight  had  faded  from  the  sky 
^ftlWl  ^WMi  '^«  opp^sHc  s^orp ;  «m,<l  drawing  (^Ijris- 


-^      «„ 


r  i- 


'  K'tms 


mi^nmir  OP  tm  MM. 


tie'iS  arin  within  his  own,  Willard  iiet  oft  i^dly  in  the 
direction  of  the  towa  of  Westport. 

And  having  reached  it,  he  led  Christie  in  the  direction 
of  a  little  obscure  Methodist  chhpel,  while  he  left  her  to 
seek  for  a  license  and  the  clergyman. 

In  a  short  time  he  returned  with  both,  and  without 
asking  any  unnecessary  inquiries,  ht  hastened  throogh 
the  marriage  ceremony  ;  and  in  a  few  moments  the  pas," 
sion-blinded  young  couple  wefe  man  and  wife.  Thetl 
hastily  paying  the  clergyman,  his  fee,  Willard  led  hift 
bride  from  the  church. 

'*  My  bride  !  my  wife !  my  own  forever,  n<xtf !"  h« 
cried,  With  passionate  exultation,  folding  her  to  his  heart. 

But  just  then,  ^th  a  fiharp,  piercing  xry  of  thrilling 
horror,  Christie  sprang  back,  frighttuHy  pale— with  dilat- 
ing eyes  and  choking  fot-datit,  gaping,  istiflih|;^,  ivAo^ 
eating.  '  .  , 

"  In  the  name  of  Heav^  !  Wiiat  is  the  matter^  my  oWll 
Christie  ?"  he  cried,'  in  wx>nder  and  alarm.  '  '  , 

But,  pk-essing  her  hafids  oter  her  heart,  she  sank  diz- 
zily on  the  church  steps,  ^le,  gashing,  trembling,  hOrror- 
stticken  still. 

'*  Ciiristie  !  Christie  !  dearest  loil«  !  What  is  it  ?"  hesaill} 
anjtiously,  encircling  her  with  his  arm. 

"  Oh  !  the  doom — the  doom  !"  she  said,  shudderinglf  • 
hiding  her  face  in  his  arm. 

"  What  doom  ?  Of  what  are  you  shaking,  sweet  \frife  T* 
hd  in(|{tired,  in  increasing  anxiety. 

She  rose  now,  and  passed  her  hand  over  het  brow,  a4 
if  to  cllt^r  away  a  qiist.  Then,  seeii^  his  pale)  tltimtbled 
faci^,  ^le  ttieoverisd  Hirsielf  and  fprewtd  %  veaxit.  >    , 

"D<^e8l  Christie,  what  was  itfU  macmAf 


-■    "-V       --.Sr&^ 


K.    -.vl' 


-"«?  / 


rc^, 


\ 


W  -^    *a»'    TlSiOJUr   OF   THE  ISLB,     .\  ^ 

"  Oh,  Willard  !  ydd  will  laugh  at  me,  but  I  felt  it  all,  I 
ta,V9  it  all  so  plainly,"  she  said,  in  a  weeping  voice. 

"Saw  wfifit— felt  wliat  ?  I  do  not  understand,"  he  saW, 
puzzled  by  her  look  and  words. 

"  Those  eyes  !  those  eyes  !  ivnd  that  fierce  grasp  on  my 
throat,  and  the  keen  knife  !     Al^,  Heaven  !   I  feel  it  yet." 
.  And  she  shuddered  convulsively.X 

"4'*®  y^^  raving,  Christie  !  ik  Heaven's  name,  what 
eyes,  what  knife,  are  you  speaking  of?"  he  said,  beginning 
to  think  she  had  lost  her  reason,  \  . 
,  "  Oh,  Willard  !  Willard  !  just  as  you  folded  me  in  your 
arms,  and  called  me  your  wife,  Sibyl  Campbell's  fierce, 
wild,  black  eyes  rose  before  me,  glaring  on  me  like  burn- 
ing coals,  and  then  I  felt  two  strong  hands  clutch  my 
throat,  and  a  knife  plunged  into  my  breast!  Oh,  saints 
\in  lic^ven  !  it  rises  before  me  yet."  * 

"Christie,  you  aremad  !"  he  said».  vehemently  ;  but  the 
asben  paleness  that  overspread  his  face  told  the  sudden 
the  name  of  Sibyl  had  given  him. 
In  all  the* terror,  horror,  and  momentary  frenzy  of  that 
ibstant,  che  fair  of  his  displeasure  conquered  every  other,, 
feelingXin  her  breast.  Shaking  off,  with  an  effort,  the 
dreepingyread  that  was  palsy iqg  every  nerVe,  she  clung 
to  his  arn^with  renewed  confidence,  and  said,  with  a  deep 
breath  of  relief  : 

"I  believe  I  was,vfor  the  moment,  Willard  ;  but  that 
has  pasr^ed  now.     You  are  not  angry  with  me,  dearest 
Willard  ?'  she  said,  anxiously,  observing  the  cloud  that 
;' «lil I  overspread  his  fine  f;ice. 

"Angry  ?  not  at  all  V*  he  said,  gravely.  "  Only  sorry 
ond  surprised  tp  tlxink  you  should  giv<e  way  to  such 
extraordinary  delusions."  .  v 

^Ob,  WilUyd  fit  wai  not  a  delusion.    I  saw  it*all,  as 


shock 


^Ml-'l 


'.J-'-*- 


;>^sw|si«fc 


A 


TB^    VISION  OF  THE  ISUH. 


tt 


plainly  as  I  see  you  now.    Oh,  those  dreadful,  dreadful 
eyes !  they  will  haunt  me  to  my  dying  day  !" 

"Do  not  think  of  it  again,  my  own  Jove,  and  do  not 
looK  so  wild,"  he  said,  soothingly.  "Come,  let  us  be 
going;  the  moon  will  soon  rise,  and  it  will  be  late  before 
we  reach  the  isle.'V  * 

"  And  Aunt  Tom  will  beanxious,"  said  Christie.^ ^  And 
that  reminds  me  of  her  commission,  which  I  had  nearly 
forgotten.  When  we  reach  the  store,  you  can  wait  out- 
side.    I  will  join  you  in  a  moment." 

The  moon  was  just  rising  wlien  they  set  sail  for  the 
isle,  Vhich  Christie  had  left  a  child,  and  was  returning  a 
wife.  Ah!  where  was  their  better  angel  in  that  dark 
moment  of  madness  and  tempt.ition  ?. 

The  soft,  bright  moonlight  was  lighting  up  the  isle 
'with  its  calm,  pale  rays  when  they  reached  it.     The  qry 
of  the  whip-poor-will  and  katy-did,  from  the  neighboring 
forest,,  mingled   with   the  soft,  dreamy   murmur  of  thcj  . 
waves  on  the  shore,  was  the  sweetest  music  ever  heard;  \ 

Tempted  by, the  beauty  of  the  night,  our  lovers  pro- 
longed iheir  stroll  over  the  beach.  At  length,  as  it  be^iAi 
to  grow  late,  Christie,  fearing  ^rs.  Tom  or  Carl  might 
come  out  to  watch  for  her  coming,  persuaded  Willard  to 
lee  her  return.     ,  ^ 

They  walked  up  the  rocky,  romantic  path,  whispering 
those  low  and  often  foolish  ihings'so  sweet  to  lovers' eara 
when  coming  from  the  lips  of  the  loved  one.  A  light 
.still  [winkled  itkihc  widow's  cottage,  casting  a  long,  thin 
line  of  yellow,  light  far  over  the  lonely  road.  But  no 
other  sign  of  life  waS  visible.  Christie's  blue  eyes  were 
bent  on.  the  ground,  and  Will.Trd's  statdly  head  was  bent 
above  her,  when,  suddenly  looking  up,  he  beheld  a  siglit 
which  froze  the  blood  ki  his  veins.    * 


!       'II 


K', 


*. 


t.. 


>> 


Fwtti  die  ^ark,  mystic  pine  woods, «  ^hice-mbed  fimre 
^me  floating  tow«iti  them.  Ooe  gUnoe  sufficed  to  teli 
r~  **.T"  ?*»*  ^''^"Sfe  Tisioii  |hat  Had  bent  t>wjr  fclm  a 
iBW  lu^ts  before.  There  wens  the  same  holioiv,  rayTeM 
«9r«s»  tSie  same  wild,  streaming  bhick  hair,  tbc  same  ghastly 
corpse-like  face,  with  its  fixed  look  of  imottcrabte  woe 

It  WW  earning  rteadiJj  toward  the»|,  tbis  awful  phau- 
iwn.  WiUard  stood  fixed,  rooted  to  the  gromid,  garfng 
«»  If  feiscinated  o»  the  appailiog  specter.  His  next 
thought  was  for  Chj-istie.  He  glanced  toward  ber  to  see 
h«r  face  Wancbed  to  the  hue  of  defctb.  her  ejres  dilatine 
'*":^**"^  **''  f  «wn,  a«aWe  to  speak  a  ^onf,  one  hand 
i^.  *n(|.6rie^k«iag  finger  panting  to  the  dre^ 
.being  approjphit%t 

iJ^         ^  "**^  "**"■  "P***^    ^"»  t^  phantom 
Seated  on  untihit  stood  before  them,  face  to  f^e.    For 

jn  tns»,t  it  paused,  with  its  hollow  eyes  glaring  upon 
them  ;  then  wuh  an  awf  al  cry  of  «  mardered  f  murdered  l'* 
that  peeled  through  the  dim  old  woods,  it  (Hbw  up  both 
^arms,  and  with  a  shrill,  piercing,  agonizing  shriek, 
tfcd  away  and  was  hid  among  the  beetling  rocks 
;  the  hand  that  grasped  Willard's  arm  was  gm wins 
weaker  and  weaker,  there  was  a  low  moan,  and  he  turned 
in  lime  to  catch  the  senseless  form  of  his  child- wife  in 
lua  arms. 

Ai-^*'.''"^*  unearthly  scream  had  startled  Mr$..Tom 
A#a^ed  and  wondering,  she  cautiously  opened  the  door 
a^  vi^t  out     And  there  she  saw  Willard  Drummond 
Urith  (be  senseless  form  of  Christie  in  his  arms.  * 


m 


3  1 


''4;*.-*^¥«^', 


'8  SMlEaOk 


rc< 


Fortune  is  merry. 
And  in  this  mood  will  give  us  anytliing." 

JULIVS  C>MAS.  \ 

CAPTAIN  GUY  CaUpbELL  sa^  in  tho  parlor  <A 
I  the  Westport  HoUc,  as  the  flHmii^  gilt  sign- 
board announced,  his  heeU  elevated  on  the  wlw 
dow-^ill,  his  chair  tipped  bick,  a  cigar  in^  hia  moath^'and 
a  newspapei;  in  his  hand.  I^any  .people  were  passing  in 
and  out,  sotae  of  whom  be  greeted  ^lith  a  nod,  others 
with  a  briet  salutation,  while,  he  still  went  on  with  his 
reading  aiyd  smoking.  Thire  seemed  to  be  nothing. very 
exciting  Jn  4he  paper,  judging  "by-  Captain  Caifly  1% 
suppressed  yawns  j  and  he  Was  about  to  throw  it  asi£  atf 
worthless,  when  a  paragrapji  caught  his  eye,  that  brought 
him  to  his  feet,  as  suddentty"  as  though  those  members 


rings. 


were  furni^hcHl  with  steel  s[ 

The  paragraph  was  briefl  and  ran  thus  ; 

"If  Mark  Campbell,  Es<3.,  of  Campbell's  Isle^  bo  stilt 
alive,  he  is  earnestly  requested  to  call  immediately  at  tti». 
office  of  C.  Ringdon,  Attorn ey-at- Law,  No  16  — —  street, 
Westport.    In  case  of  his  dlpath^  his  heirs  should  appty.^ 

C  RiNGXH>n.** 


r4 


"  Now,  what  in  the  name 
court  can  tiiis  mca«?"   Qji 
Campbell. 


rf  Neptune  and  all  hi$  scaljr^ 
lulated  the  amaeed 


^^. 


3-3?*^-'.--- 


k":^ 


H  ? 


OiTff   OFJFOBtAb'B  8M1 


^^^"^^^  »»«PPy  to  inform  you,"  said  a  voice  behind 
hi^,  «o,ly  I  don't  hLppen  to  know  whatLu're  talking 

^i^^^I^^  '"™*^^  round,  and  U  a  fashion- 
^d.^d  young  man.  who  had  just  enfered,  standing 

h«nH^*??*^**''*'  ^"""^  """^  y°"^'  ^«  «aid.Lxtending  his 
hand;  "  happy  to  see  you.  What  in  the  torld  brought 
you  here  ?-the  v^ry  la«  pc«on  I  ever  expLed  to  see  in 
this  quarter  of  the  gtibe."  f    • 

f     •  ^'MTell/'  said  StaflFord,  leisurely-seatinfe  Wm,elf   "I 
^me  down  here,  nomfealjy.  to  tinsact  Le  buies 

's7arhad^'"L°'''  5"!  ''^^ '^^'  ^^'  '  ^^^^^e  Evening 
Star  had  arrived,  and  I  wanted  to  pay  mvf  ' 

S?^^^?'  '^^^  ^"^^°   °^  t^e  Isle.      How  i 

^  "Very  Wll,  and  at  present  on  a  visit  tdthe  Rev  Mr 
Brantweiri  But  look  at  this  advertisemJt  herf  Tn  fhe 
Westport  hraU  What  the  deuce  do  youtke  offt  ^ 
thef^er  ^°°^  '^^  P'^P^'-  -°4  carelessly  glanced  over 
^th.  r  don't  kngw.  Somebody's  left  you  a  legacy, 
"  Pooh  1  What  a  notion!    Who  under  thj;  sftn  is  there 

L^i:i:^:ru!s;^'°"^"^^^^^"'p^'^-HHasp::: 

nJ'J^f '  i  n^*"^''  -''°"''  ""^'^^""'^  relationLthe  Eyres, 
worih  mo!:  H  T  T^'^  ^^^'^  •^•'*"'^"'  '•!-  millionaire 
l^^'r'^:''^'  ^"^'-  ?'-  ^  -Id  under: 


deyoirs  to  her 
pretty  Ladv 


take  to  count.    'He  might  have  died  anc 
money."  '  ^ 

"And  leave  his  oven  family  without  ?  A 
^••Id  Captain  Campbell.       ^ 


left  you  his 


likely  s^iy;" 


a. 


iippi??^!  i?^"^!^?:^ 


•f>x^ 


'^T-^^^ 

^  ;^1^*"- 


.1-1 


ONE   OF   FORTUNE'S^  BM1LE8.  '        i"     IQt      S 


'    '    f*  My  dear  fcllaw,  he  had  no  family,  except  a  wife,  and 
,sh6  has  bfccii  dead  for  many^ycafs.     You   may  bo  certain 
b«  has  left. you  iiis  heir."  » 

"By  Jove  !  if  it  sliouhl  prove  to  be  true,  thit  wiuid  b 
r..;^  streak  of  good  luck.    But  it  cannot  be.     Dame  Fortune 
Would  never  besiow  on  a  Campbell  any   such  JricticJiy 
smile.     They   always  were    an    impoverished    race,   and 
always  will  be,  I  believe.*^-!; 

"  Don't  be  loo  cunfident..  Strange  things  liappen  some- 
times. For  instance,  I  saw  something  strange  a  night  or 
two  ago."  -, 

'•Yes?  What  is  it  ?"        '        .  ' 

"Well,  you  see,  about  dark  I  was  wandering  about  the 
shore,  enjoying  a  cigar  and  the  beauty  of  the  evening, 
and  rumina'ting  whether  it  wouldn't  be  advisable  to  take 
a  boat  uiid  ga  over  to  see  her  adorable  majesty,  Queen 
Sibyl.    Most  likely  my  cogitation   would  have  ended  in 
my  going,  only,  unfortunately,  there  vyas  no  boat  to  be 
seen.     I  was  about  to  turn  away  in  despair,  when   I  sud- 
denly espied  a  boat  c^ppitling  two  persgns  land  at  some- 
distance  below  where  1  Itocid.    One  was  a  young  fellow, 
.tall  and  good  lookin'g,  with  a  certain  air  of  aristocratic 
hauteur  about  him  that  told  me  he  was  not  to  be  inter-' 
fered  with.     But  his  companion — olyi  ye  gods  and  littie 
fishes  !  what  a  perfect  little  sylph  she/ was  !   Such  a  mirac- 
ulous combination  of  blue  eyes,  yellow  guxlsr^nowy  com- 
plexioii)  pink  cheeks,  and  red,  kissable  lips,  it  neve^  was 
my  good  fort|^ne  t<r^ncounter  before.     But  what  struck' 
me  most  forcibly,  wa;s  her  resemblance  to  some  one  I  had 
seen  before  and  after  puzzling  myself  for  a  long  time,  I' 
at  length  discovered  shb  was  the  very  image  of  pretty 
little  Christie,  of  the  isle."  ^ 


■•     its 

4^ 


■  ,-,■'■ 

j^'       !  ,,  '  V 

\ 


•^\sM,'*J>k% 


IjmX'S 


V  Tie  VLi  '^visM 


muLrn 

m: '    •♦Ghjri.tie  I  oh,  ppoh 'f  it  douldn't  hare  been  «he/'  «ii(l 
dptoin  Campbell,  Willi  an  Uneasy  start. 

••  Of  course,  it  coiildn'i,  fij^Ve  been  shc,^  with  so  dainty^a 
knight  a»  that,  but  it  wlas  mo  n  confouiidedly  like  her,  or 
whfi  she  was  whea  i  sjiw  her  Rt^t— four^^years  ago; 
though  I  dare  say  she  has  grtatly  changed  since  then." 


*•  Well,  what  was  there  so 


.t*  :*•.,, 


strange  about  a  handsome 


fellow  and  a  piwity  girllanding  on  the  beach,  to'  interest 
the  nonchfilant  WiJl  ^tafford  r  asked  Captain  Campbell. 
"Ligten~I  hfaven*t  got  to  the  strange  part  of  my  story 
3ret.  They  walked  up  the  beabh  to  the  road,. and  I  could 
see  the  girl  was  terrified  and  excited,  while  he  tried  to 
t^the  and  quiet  her.  My  cliriosity  was  aroused  ;  for, 
•ppn  my  sopl,  Campbell,  I  kever  saw  a  lovlier  little' 
creature;  and  with  a  sort  of  idea  they  were  up  to  somd 
>  mischief,  1  followed  them.  It  ^as  ijcarly^  dark,  and  they 
l|Qr«ied  on  so  fast  they  did  not  Uoiice  rae,  and  I  tracked 
them  into  ope  of  the  most  obsjcure  streets  of  tttfe  town, 
aiid  saw  th^ni^enter  a  little,  seclidod,  Methodist  meeting. 


/^ 


•*Wclir«aid  his  auditor. 
"^  "JWjU,  sir,  the  fellofcr  left  herl  there  ^nd  went  off.  I 
crept'fioftly  in,  an^  in  the  obscArity  hid%behind  a  posf, 
^terlnined  to  see  the  end.  Dark  as  it  was,  I-  could  see 
shetrem^ed  with  ia\Ya|d  emotiiii,  and  croucl^d  down 
in  her  seat»  with  h^r  faf:^  hidden  in  her  hands,  as  if  terror, 
,i«morsQ,  sorrow,  or  $oini^  ptb^r  feelipg,  was  weighing 
^wn  her  Heart/'  '    \ 

*♦  Wonder  the  gay  Will  Sta^ord  did  not  approach  find 

offer  h|r«^SQl;I^iQn,"5aifi  the  young  captain,  dryly.^ 

\j..   "By  Jove  f  I  fpU  like  doing  it,"  said  Mr^  Stafford,  in 

r*il  sincerity >»hutj  wanted  to  s<}e  wha^  was^p^for  I 

Icnew  now  air  ftpuld' not  be  quite  right    Breaedtly,  tlw 


mr  o^  Mokrfrsms  BMiLjuk 


Alt  WAS 


foiing  n>ft«  cim»  biack.  and  *ith  -hiitt  a  miniBter. 
clear  as  karSr  atbpooaday,  now^-this  was  a  luoaWay 
md«ch»j^^lande«,i^'Wmage — aomctlwag  which  ia  alwaya 
interesting  to  fast^upg  toen  Uico  tnyself.  The  iMff^ 
pair  stood  up  belure  the  clergyman,  apd  tU«  twain  were 
soon  ntade  ono'-flesh.    .  ^  -^^ 

'**My  ears  would  have  ran  themsi^l|res  into  point*. in 
order  to  hear, the  better,  but  I  listened  flfc^yadn.    The  mm*> 
istcr  mumbled  over  the  ccreinpny  so  cdftl^uadedly  low 
that  I  cottld  not  hear  a  single  v/ord— not  evi^a  the  nap»«*: 
of  the  parlies,  which  I  waisi  particularly  anxtbus  to,  fines' 
out.     1  suppose  U  waa  all  right,  however,  foi\  I  saw  the 
clergyman  pocket  the  fee,  and  the  young  ms^,  tucking 
little  blue-eyea  und^r  his  ar^i  walked  off;  a»^  faitb, 
I'd  given  a  trifle  td  hav«  s^ood  ip  his  place.     I  foH^wed, 
not  being  ambitious  to  be  locked^ up  all  ijight,  ev«i^i»  |* 
Ifoly  a  place  aj  a  chiirch.    Just  as  I  went  out,  I  hearc^,  a» 
aw(ul  shfi^k,  and  there  the  bride  stood  like  one  suddenly 
turned  to  stone^  whil©  the  bridegroom  was  trying  4o  gq% 
sole  her.    What  scared,  her  I  .don't  know,  but  certainly  I 
uever  saw  a  moretenri^ed  look  on  any  face  than  was  o^.; 
^ers.    Not  wishing  to  b|  seen,  I  drew  badt,  and.in  a^few 
minutes  thij^y  started  olc    I  foliowe<kih,«(«ft  as  before^  and 
saw  the  girl  Stop  for  »  moment  in  a  grocery  store,  sprhU^ 
he.  waited  outsideJ    Then  ttey  went  do^fn  to  the  b«ach, 
heiianded  hef  into  the  boat,  pushed  off,  ai>d  they  w<?c^ 
gone__leaving  me  to  rub  nijr  ejfes  and  wondfer  whether  I- 
was  sleeping  op  waging.    Now,  wlwit  do  you  think  of  thia 
wading  o»  the  ily^  without  frielads,  or  witnesaea,  <nf; 
anytb^^ng  in  the  usual  line?"       "^         .^ 
>    **  Well,  really,  I  cannot  asqr,  such  things  dd  not  interest 
iMMW  deefi^jf  M  UiejF  d<i  ip^tt.    Perhapg  U'a  0^  F«#i 
port  faslttii^t"  ,.        ,    -      * 


M 


KM 


OJTB   OF  FORTUNE? B  StllLm. 


«  r«nt    '        '^  '  something  wrong.    He  was  evidently  of 
a  rank  superior  to  the  girl.     I  could  tell  that,  both  by 

-       oTe/^^r.rK  '"''•^"^^"''"'^'"PP^^^^^^^^     I  W^  like 
to  get  at  the  botjom  of  this  mystery." 

r^SJ^T  7^^"°'.^«  the. minister  who  married  them, 
.     and  find  out  from  him  ?"  * 

s.J^f^A  ^?' '""^^  ••«^«°"s.  First.  I  didn't  see  hrs  face, 
k  t^,  rf  ^^'^  ^r  '^  '  ^^""^^^^^  °^«'-  W«?.     Second 

them  and  play.ng  the' spy,  that  I  should  be  ashamed  td 
tell  any  one  of  it,  but  so  old  a  friend  a^ou  " 

mnl^^"'i^J^"'  "^''"  ""'"^  '^'^  mysterious  couple  any 
more,  said  Captain  Campbell,  impatiently;  "but  tell  me 
what  I  had  better  do  about  this  advertisem^ent."      ' 

Why  go  and  see  thisC.  Ringdon,  attorney-at-law  at 

••  But  if  it  should  prove  to  be  a  humbug  ?"  said  Caotain 
Campbell,  as  he  sallied  forth,  arm-in-arm\ith  StaffTd 

inch  of  his  11^'"  C  /ingclon.  attorney-at-law,  ^ithin  an 
mchof  his  life,  said  his  pacific  friend.  "It's  the  only 
Dalm  for  a  wounded  mind  I  kno^V  of  " 

tnrn^T*'"  ^.^'"''^"  ^^"Sfhed ;  and  the  conversation 
turned  on  wious  raattersas  they  walked  on 

~a  dingy-look.ng.  old  house,  with  his  ndme  over  the 
door,  in  exceedingly  dingy  letters. 

fl^e  in  his  office,  when  they  entered.     He  pushed  up  his 
.ygg5'^%^:H''veyelthem  kecmfc^ 

AU  riJ.>P'^'""**'  "'''  ^^^  ^"-  Ring<lon. mentioned  in 
^u  advertisement?"  said  Captain  Campbell,  handing 
him  the  paper,  and  pointing  to  the  advertisement      \        ^ 


"■■""■#:' 

; 

^m 

no 

m. 

!.   M 

/ 

1' 

/ 

■]^m 

ba 

i^^^B 

..« 

1 

W5 

fl 

Cf 

^^    •'^^f^'ff^^'^^-^ ,p^ 


. .."% 


ONE    OF  FOttTUNtPa   8M1LE8. 


im 


"  I  am  sir,  Cati  you  giVe  me  any  information  concern- 
ing the  parties  in  question  ?" 

"Faith,  he  ought  tdf  being  the  principal  party  in  ques* 
tion  himself^  interposed  Stafford. 

"How,  sir, — are  you  a  relative  of  these  Campbells  of 
the  Isle?"  asked  the  attorn ^^  .  --' 

"Yes  ;  the  son  df  the  Mark  Canrpbell  mentioned  their.*' 

"  Ah  !  ^Are  their  any  more  of  you  ?  Is  your  father 
iving  ? 

No  ;  he  hj^s  been  dead  these  four  years  ;  and  there  are 
no  more  of  us,  as  you  are  pleased  to  term  it,  but  one  sister. 
May  I  ask  what  all  this  affair  is  about  ?" 

**  CertainlVj,  Mr.  Campbell  You  are  aware,  perhaps, 
-you  had  an  unele  in  New  York — Mr.  Riciiard  Eyre,  (he 
banker  ?" 

"  I  knew  it !  Wasn't  I  just  sqying  the  old  gentleman 
was  at  the  bottom  of  it  ?"  said  Stafford,  giving  Captain 
Campbell  a  dig  in  the  ribs. 

"  I  am  aware  df  that  fact,  sir ;  he  was  my  mother'a 
only  brother." 

"Exactly.     Well,  he  is  dead."  ' 

" Jndeed  !"  said  the  young  man,  gravely. 

"  Yes,  sir ;  and,  having  no  heirs -of  his  own,  he  has  left 
his  whole  fortune  to  be  divided  equally  between  his  sis- 
ter's children.  The  sum  is  enormous  ;  and  I  beg  leave  (o 
congratulate  you  on  your  good  fortune.  I  do  not  knew 
the  exact  amount,  and  for  further  particulars  it  will  be 
necessary  for  you  to  visit  New  York,  where  the  lawyer 
who  drew  up  the  will  resides.  Here  is  his  address.  All 
you  hare  to  do, 4s  to^  prove  your  idcntiTy,"scrtie^ir  fenr 
preliminaries,  and  take  immediate  possession  of  your  for- 
tune Excuse  me,  gentlemen,  I  am  very  busy,  and,  wi|}> 
your  permission,  will  bid  you  good-morning."      ^  *"  Ty 


-'  ■ '  j' 

An4  tfic  little  attprncy  bftwed  them  pplitely  o^t^ 
"  yell,  this  is  a  streak  of  good  lack  .'"exclaimed  Staf- 
fonj.     "Up^  my,  wqrd,  Campbell,  you  must  have  betia 
born  with  a  silver  spool!  ip  your  mouth.    1  suppose  vciu 
WilUt^ipstantlyforNevYoFk?"  ^' 

*^r  -I         instantly,  my  dear  Stafford.     I  muaj  go  and  in^ 
fornli  Si^yl  of  our  §oq<*  fp|t«ne.    Dear,  noble  girl,  for\ 
l^^ls^M  I  am  truly  thankfql  foV  this." 

*  Of  course  you  ought  to  be  ;  not  many  men  are  blessed 
W  9|th  S5M:h  a  sister  a^  th^i  r^^i^nt,  glorious  Sibyl.    Hav<$^ 
you  any  objectioqs  to  my  accompanying  you  ?"  ^^ 

.       "Delighted  to  l^ve  you,  my  dear  fellow.     Suppose       ^ 
^Pl  at^rt  H9W ;  we  wi|l  be  at  Brantw^ll's  before  dark." 
«  JMSt  a&  you  please,  my  dear  sir.    1  suj^pose  it  will  be 
fht  for  sair  een  *  to  see  her  dazzling  majesty,  the  Queen 
t^«  me,  agaip." 

A  carri^^  wj^sopii  ii^  readiness,  and  our  two  friends 
farted  to  impart  this  sudden  glimpse  of  fortune's  sua- 
M^e  to  Sibyl,  1 

!    It  was  dark  when  they  leached  the  parsonage—a  hand- 
Some  and  rather  iroposinjg-lQol^ing  mansioi^— and  were 
^sher«d  into  th;^  drawipg-fpom  by  a  neat  looking  little 
^"l^s-    Si^yl*l><J  Mrs,  BiajitwcU  were  seated  alone,  Mr. 
ktw^i  IV»vipg  gfppe  to  ^^  a.  sick  parishioner, 
^ibyl  joyfully  hailed  hejf  bro^h^r^  and  smilingly  greeted 
his  fipmpap^n^  who  was,  an  old  friend  and  secret  admirer. 
,^oar  Will  &affwd  I    The  impressions  the  child  Sibyl  had 
loyn^e^ly  ii^ai^ (W»  h^yart,  time  had  nearly  obliterated  ; 
l^ll  th^t  |fWiiant8m|l«v  those  glpjrioMS  eyes  and  bewitch^ 


mm 


Cloi^Mfs,  Rr^twell  welcomed  her  ^ests  in  her  us,- 


--  «J     '3.-1 


r?;'r ' , 


■  ■\ 


.-    '    4.,.  J.    S*' 


'-  <i'^ 


-^  > 


y} 


0^   QF  FOBTUmtA  SUtl08. 


she  heard  of  the  unexpected  good  fortune  of  Sibyl  ai|tf, 
her  brother,  her  rapturous  delight  knew  no  bounds 

"Just  to  think  of  it !"  she  exclaimed,  "my  handsome 
Sibyl  an  heiress.  Oh,  won't  she  create  an  excitensenl 
now  ?  Young,  rich,  and  beautiful  !  Sibyl  !  Sibyl !  what 
an  enviable  fate  is  yours  I"  --^ 

Sibyl's  cheek  flushed,  and  her  eyes  brightened,  as  sli»i^ 
thdught  of  Willard.     For  his  sake  she  rejoiced  over  her_ 
new-found  fortune.     Of  ten  and ,  bitterly  had  she  secretly 
regretted,  an^  her  pride  revolted  at  the  idea  of  beconting 
the  bride  of  one  so  far   superior  in  wealth  and  fortune 
But  now   she   was  his  equal !     there  Was  triumph^  joy, 
exultation  in  the  thought.     His  aristocratic  friends  coul4 
not  look  down  on  her^now — could  not  despise  her  for  U?r 
poverty.     Look  down  on  her— a  Campbell  of  the  Isle  I  IH 
other  days,  who  would   have  dared  to  do  so  and  live?,, 
But  times  had   changed  since  those  days  ;   and  peopW'^^ 
looked  more  now  to  dollars  and  dimes  than  to  blood  f0t-^ 
noble  ancestry.     Now  she  had  both ;  she  was  his  equal  Iw 
wealth,  as  she  was  infinitely  his  superior  in  every  nobla 
quality,  and  the  triumphant  thought  sent  the  blood  rush* 
ing  to  her  crimson  cheeks,  her  red,  glowing  lips,  and  thf^ 
dark.   Southern   eyes  of  jet,  lit  up  magnificently  wi||| 
pride,  love»  and  exultation.    This  fortune  of  her?  she 
would  cast  at  his  feet,  with  her  passionate  devotioo^  «•> 
she  had  a4rea>dy  cast  heart,  and  life,  and  being,  and  SQuk, 

"What  are  you  thinking  of  Sibyl?"  said  Captai% 
Campbell,  after  watching  her  a  few  moments,^  with  % 
smile.  "  Your  cheeks  and  eyes  are  hlazipg,  yo«Mr  nfbolo 
facfriHumiiMrtedi  tt»  it  wey»>  wttb^Br  ww«y4  Ugbtr 
and  triumph.  Surely  you  do  not  care  aSriati^  a#-  this  k^r 
wealth?"  ^K 

"  ^QSk^    iiwnlPat  it's  all  about/'  bn^  it^Mm^ 


o^*fca*»A  ai^iJ^ 


;-♦/. 


110 


OSB    Op  FOBTUITB-S   BMllBB. 


•^rhe'r^"' , '."    ""f    '""""""^     mae.er-of.fac.    manier. 
Shesthmking  .ha.  good-looking  Mr.  Druramond  will 

^::.^^;:^. "-'"  "^  ''='-^'-''  '-•  '-•■  •"-  -! 

■  fi^^^""^',  ""'f^ '"""  ■""■  '^'"'"«'  ^"d  blushed  deeply  at 
fi«d™g  her  thoughts  .bus  in.erpre.ed.     S.-afl,rd  .urned 

^-tle  as  he  ,va.d,oU  her  glowing  face  ;  and  the  conviaion 
can  e  home  .o  l„u,.  for  .he  nrst  time,  that  Sibyl  Camp? 

in?'!  "^""'^  ""^  apprecialcd  by  o.her  eyes  Ihan  his. 

«.m  Campb'er'       '"  "-^™«>"'°"<'  "e-r  asked  Cnp. 

^-    "  Daj-  before  yesterday-wasn't  it   Sibyl  ?  i  He  doesn't 

^flashing  eyes  of  yours,  my  lady.     I  m  not  a  youn.r  pentTe! 

t«a.L thank  goodness!  and  am  proof  against  ev^n'^thos" 
bnght,  angry  glances.  To  be  sure  the  young  ml  rn^v 
have  tome  plausible  excuse  ;  bu,  it  seems  to  m'eTn  were 

-in  h,s  place  I'd  stick  to  you  like  a  chesnut-burr,  for  tor 
yo^nght  snp  through    my  fingers.     Poor,  d«r   Mr 

and  I  never  had  any  beauty  worth  mentioning,"  saW  Mrl 
Brantwell,  with  her  usual  jolly  laugh  K.    sa-a  Mrs. 

.r.viv  """ir^""' *''°"'  "'"■"•''  "<="  l»<iy,"said  Guy, 

Inll^:  r'l  '  """•'^'"8  ■"«"'  '■<'  '"O""  bend  my 

knees  to  you  than  half  the  young  girls  I  know.  Only  IVe 

wnat  1  might  be  tempted  to  do." 

hny^'H^^^  too  confident.  Master  Guy,"  said  the  good- 
humored  lady^    ««  r  wor '-<"'-  «- ••  s""^ 


tioo  .'.r't'/  yo-S^^Tii^y^Jor^nycs^iZ^ 

w.  I  r^M  r  "" '""'  °^ '"'""'  """"""y  «■'<'  good 

««te,  I  should  hope  yoa  wouldo't  fUU  In  lovewitk  ma' 


;--\- 


,.-*,i 


f'X 


B*«^  T-ff^V*?^? '^*J^j|*^M 

■^^1 

^^^1 

•   '>:        /; 

r^J^H 

' 

ONE    OV  FORTUima   SMILES. 


in 


And  here  comes  Mr.  Brantwell  himself,  who  wouldii't; 
appiove  of  it,  by  any  means."  / 

At  this  moment  the  good  clergyman  entered,  and 
warmly  greeted  his  gy^ests.  ' 

In  a  few  words  his  wife  told  him  of  this  astonishing 
good  fortune;  Mr.  Brantwell  always  took  matters  very 
coolly,  a  circumstance  which  sometimes  provoked  his 
more  excitable  lady,  as  on  the  present  occasion— he 
merely  elevated  his  eyebrows  slightly  in  token  olf  sur- 
prise,and  said  :        ; 

"  Indeed  !"         /  ' 

*"Yes,'indeed  !"  responded  his  wife,  irreverently  mim- 
icking his  tone,  ''and  one  would  think  fortunes  were  in 
the  habit  of  pouring  into  people's  hands  as  they  walked, 
by  the  way  you  take  it." 

"  Well,  vvhcr^  is  the  use  of  flying  off  at  a  tangent  at 
everything,"  retorted  her  spouse,  "  as  you  do.     I  suppose, , 
captain,  you  will  start  for  New  York  immediately  ?" 

"  Yes,  to-mprrovv  morning."  :  , 

"  And  as  Sibyl  may  be  wanted,  you  had  better  take 
her,  too,"  said  Mr.  Brantwell. 

"  Very  trvje  ;  I  never  thought  of  it  before.  Can  you 
be  ready,  Sibyl  ?" 

Sibyl  thought  of  Drummond,  and  asked,  rather  hesita«^ 
tingly,  "  HoW  long' will  you  be  gone  ?" 

"  About  a  week — or  two  or  three,  at  the  farthest." 

*'  Now,  Sibyl,"  broke  in  Mrs.  Brantwell,  who  seemed 
to  possess,  the    faculty  pf    reading    people's   thougbxs»  ".^ 
"  never  mind  Mr.  Drummond  j   I'll  break  the  news  of 
your-abs^nce  to  him—tn—the  getttleaMnantiCf-posstb] 
Your  fortune  is  of  more  importance  just  now  than  bi»« 
lordship,/  who,  no  doubt,  will  follow  you  to  Nevr  Yorlr 
when  he/ heurs  you  are  there."  >  *  >^v 


A 


C  '  ■ 


\  '-m 


'$■/<' jt 


^-WW'?^>f  i^^^-^^'^qf  ^ 


'U$ 


«»•  ^»t«l6-.m»   IWMSZSt 


ui  J?*?  "^^J? ?  "«^«^^>'»8  angnr  with  theg«iod.hiiinor«d 
Wd  lady,  so  Sibyl  smiled,  and  mmU^  i^rmdy  betimes 

And  early  the  following  day  th^  brother  and  sister  »fit 


\ 


\, 


|!T^,W«  tat,    » 


r   u 


I 


CHAPTER  XI.  '  i 

THE  STORM— THE    WRECK. 

•"n»«r«8  of  ItoiHls  is  in  the  battling^ clouds, ' 
The  glare  of  hell  is,  in  these  sulphurous  ligfatniags  t 
Tm  '*  na  eafthly  Horn . "    Bbktiuil 

"rwaMFQ  days  after  the  departure  of  Sibyl  ere  Wil- 
lard  Drummond  visited  the  parsonage  again. 
,       And  then  he  h«^rd  of  her  departure  with  real  sur- 
pnsc  and  aflfeeted  concern  ;  hut  he  did  n^  follow  her  to 
I<ew  York,  as  Mrs.  BrantwcU  had  prophesied.  * 

h«rfT?^'''°"  for  Christie  was  yet  too  ,>ew-^the  mv^ty 

his  dwn  indisputable  property,  had  uot  yet  atoned,  a,  it 
wou  d  do  some  day,  as  it  must  do ;  for  such  quick,  fierce. 

,  completely,  as  it  hj}  conw»  so  must  it  di* ;  for  he  wm  not 

me^   those  whx,,  iu  ipvi^  oice  l«ve  for,a  life^i^e. 

^^^^/^^J^'''^^^'^'^  in  <>afih  ttott  lo^ 


-r;v-''5Wli^leC^;^lQuirpOTwnCS^ 

^i.^  •     u-M?"!*^  ***''^  '^*'*''*^  ^'^'^  *»*»^s»  drooped.  l<lMli4 
««idperh*4iedof  *  brok«J,^,|«tt.aib,lC^ 


^/: 


>;« ' 


apEQT  sTOB^fT-fas  wimei^ 


■V 


m 


m 


majestic  with  the  strength  of  her  wrongs,  and  hurl  to  ° 
destritict^n  all  those  who  had  acted  a  part  in  her  down* 
fall.  Soipething  of  all  this  would  at  times  flit  through 
Willard  Drummond's  mind  ;  and  once  came  the  ungenerr 
ous  thought  that  perhaps  after^l  it  would  have  been  bet^ 
ter  had  he  never  seen  Campbell's  Isle.  But  on^  smile 
from  Christie,  one  fond  caress  from  her  gentle  arms, 
and  all  this  was  forgotten,  and  all  the  world  ^as  agaii|. 
bounded  for  him  by  its  wave-dashed  shore. 

So  the  days  of  Sibyl's  absence  were  wearing  away,  and 
Willard  still  lingered  a  willing  captive.  Even  Mrs.  Tom's 
eyes  were  beginning  to  be  opened  to  the  fact  that  there 
must  be  sdmething  more  than  met  the  eye  in  these  long 
solitary  rambles— those  moonlight;  walks  and  sails  the 
young  couple  were  so  fond  of.  4*^t  Moll  had  long  been 
throwing  out  sundry  mysterious  hints  which  Mrs.  Tom--*  - 
who' disliked  gossiping— paid  no  attention  to  ;  but  now 
she  began  to  think  thatf,  after  all,  it  might  be  more  pru- 
dent to  keep  this  g^y  young  man  of  pleasure  a  little 
oftener  from  Christie.  So  Qne  day  she  surprised  Christie 
by  a  sound  scolding  on  hei'."goin'  prowlin'  through  the 
woods  at  all  hours,  whei^  she  ought  to  be  at  home  doing 
her  work,"  and  positively  forbidding  her  going  out  again 
for  a  week. 

Christie  listened    in   dutiful    silence,   but    promis/sdF' 
nothing;  an*  in  spite  of  all  Mrs  Tom's  watching,  met- 
Willard  a^. often  as  ever.    For  that  young  gentlmaafi 
would  visit  the  cottage  each  day ;  and  the  little  widow  -- 
was  altogether  too  hospitable  to  hint  that  he  came  oftener 

?as  exactly  desirable.  Ji^d  so  th^e  waa  notbiot 
do  but  tol^ope  tlmt  Miss  Sibyl  would  soon  return  to  the 
isle,  a«d  Ipok  i|fi<r  hffr  lover  h^rj^W,  for  Jdrs.  Tom  wM 
growio^  %i§p^  Qf  %    ^^4e%.Bbe  r<mlly  lik^  tbt  jioulil. 


■■■<   !^ 


U^. 


t^Mt*' 


•^IBf'^ 


•xr^fTT^!^ 


kr 


TBB  jmmM-TSB    WREOK, 


X. 


'^!^^^^^''T^  '^^^^  *^«"^^'  »^^°^  -  paragon  of 

A^^u'.  °°'^  '''°"^^  '^^  ^«^«  «"entive  to  Christie 
And  Christie,  the  sW  little  rhiM  .  j/      '^"^""S"e. 

v-^^^S.nce  their  bridal-night,  the  mysterious  phantom  had 
never  b<jgn  seen  ;  and  "both  were   begin ninnohoDe^ 
had  beenonly  an  illusion  of  a  heated  imaai^tron^Mr 
Drum-nond  had  acc<H.nted  for  the  terWyrng'hriek  a.d 
Christie's  fainting  fit  in  some-ingenious  way  of  "is  own 
that  quite  satisfied  the  old  ladv  knd  \^Za\  ' 

suspicions  she  might  have  conpe'ived  ''"'  '°^ 

_  One  evening,  as  Willard  set  cyu*  to  keeo  aft  nn««-  .' 
ment  with  Christie,  he  observed  ^L  J::Z:^,  o7Zt 
sitting  perched  up  ona  limb  of  a  giant  pine  tree  IhrH?* 

thatSi:L^j^;:^:!;--^-^'^--ntioni. 

^^    Well,  and  what  of  that  ?"  said  Mr.  Drummond     "A 
saiUs^not  such  an  unusual  sight  here,  is  it- 

•sne.;!'''  '^'■'''  ^T""  ^'^''''''>  ^"'  '^  ^«  Lord  ain't  took 

"A  storm,  you   blockhead!'  exclaimed    n, 
•'There  i«  n«» /^i     j-      ,     "*    exclaimed   Drummond, 
xnere  is  not  a  cloud  in  the  sky."- 

^     "Jes'lookober  dar,  massa,  and  see  dat   black  dlond 
•bout  de  size  o' your  hand  "  ' 

"Well?"  said  Willard."      / 

_JAP^ett^sooa  dat  4wil^aa.t>berthe  skyyant  deiOvcTT^ 
liaS  a  taring  squall.     De  trees  tell  de  wind's  risin'al^IV 
a^Tou  needn't  be  s'prised  ef  toWorrrai^yo^^ 

M^  d^  r^m.  o'  dat  wessel  spread  all  over  the  shc^a"        - 


-«>' 


THB  6T0BM—TBB    WRECK. 


ta 


And  Letn,  with  »  dolef ut  shake  of  his  head,  descended 
from  his  perch  and  sought  the  house. 

Ere   the   hour   had   passed,    Lem's   prognostications 
Droved  true.    The  heavens  rapidly  darkened,  as  dens^ 
|Pblackj  threatening  clouds  rolled  over  it ;  the  sea.|)ecame 
of  an  inky  hue,  crested  with  white,  ghastly-looking  foam,  - 
as  it  heaved  and  groaned  like  a  "strong  heart  in  strong' 
agony,"     The  wind  rose  and  crashed  with  terrific  foroe' 
through  the  woods,  bending  strong  trees  like  leedf  before 
its  might.  \     ' 

"  Lor*  sakea,  horn  #'  blows  !"  said  Mrs.  Tom,  as  sbe ' 
blustered  in  and  out.     "  I'clare  to  man,  it  'most  took  me' 
right  off  my  feet.     I  ain't  heerd  sich  a  wind  these  five  year 
come  Chrismas,  and  them  two  ships  were  wrecked  right  * 
out  from  the  shore, .and  every  soul  perished.     Dear,  dear  I 
what  a  sight  it   was   next  day,    when   all  the   drownedT^ 
corpses  was  washed  ashore.     It  was  the  most  awfulest 
sight  I  ever  seed.     Carl,  don't  sit  layin*  there  in  the  cor- 
ner all  night,  toastin'  your  shins  like  a  singed  cat.    Get 
up  and  pick  the  pen-feathers  out  of  that  fowl.'* 

"  I  h^ajrd  Lem  saying  there  was  a  ship  in  view  about  aa 
hour  ag(i,"  said  DruHimond,  rising.  *  r- 

"Lord  a' massy  upon  them,  then !"    said  Mrs.  Tom;^' 
"  for,  if  they  touch  the  shore,  they'H  every  one  go  to  the 
bottom." 

"  Oh,  dreadful !"  said  Christie,  turning  pale  with  pity 
and  horror.  -  ,       .    '^" 

"It's  goin'to  bean  awful  night-1     Just  listen  to  the  \ 
wind  roarin'  through  the  trees,  and  that  rain  !     I  never  * 
heafdlTie  waves  boomin'  oh  the  Jbeach  as  tficy^reldoTn' ~ 
now,  that  a  wreck  didn't  fuller,     li'd  a  blessin*  Captain  "^ 
Guy  and  Mi$s  Sibyl  ain't  oijttbe  s«a  this  di^xiful  night.   ' 

eRo  think  of  tflbi  i 


•>»*•) 


^*'- 


*  *' 


>.;'' 


Whea  they  were  ^way,  I  useoTto  think 


m  every 


JH 


"l^.-'^aVJ^' 


mx  MTom^jsm  wmm. 


«>♦ 


storm.    X<or^  preserve  ua !    look  at  that"    A»rl  «i*fc 

roof  a^uuSk'LT'     •'*"*""«  'o  b'»gd«w,  ,ho 
.     .h.  fl-^  *'^'  •  *  'empestuous  dash  of  min  u  if 

Li-.     ^  "•" '"""  "Shtnioff,  as  though  uTwh^ni:  - 
mament  was  one  sheet  of  flairo  •   a  cni^  of  .1.     j  . 

Mm    Tr.«,    *  ■        "^ '"  spean  or  move.  v 

.bm^,      ■     '"'K^'-S  I*'"  first,  iavfaluntary   aja™, 

A.T#«Tarr^  t  r  s^eH  '^"^  ^ 
.«onn  tad  aAsT^uttonJd  up  lis  Z  ''•'' "'"'"'•  "" 

^1    r^^  *^^  notgo^~<Jo  oot  We  US'"   cri«d  rh-:«»- 
Spring  Off  forward  anrf  r^^i        m^  ^^  Christjc^ 

'  he  whiTl     '■ ""  ■""  '"""'«  «• :  *«"  «  no  danger." 
«tth  WsTr-  '-^"""^'-K'^.  ---"»«  her  slight  w»k 

i.g'tm  Tn'rirsi:;^'^'^^^^^^^^^^^^^  »■«'  ^»-'"'- 

shocked  and  indignant  ^"  °'  ''°''  B^-'S  ™ 

aownl'^dlro^f.  'r:;,!'-  f '"•  ^"  ,"—■«'.  k-eel 
ofcjourself  ,«^  ■'^^'^  !"  ''^''"  °"8ht  to  be  ashamed 
'blS  to  '  '^".""L"  "  ""»8-    Mr.  Drummond.  I'd  b. 

R..»  L      J^^      ''  ''''8'>"«"-.  respeetable."  . 

But  here,  Mrs.Xon.-s  words  we„  abruptly  cut  .ho«i 


/^ 


■■^mm''^-^'''^'^^''- 


•  ,.     .     .    ■■-'>; 


IW  «l^ll^f!B»  irjiMQK; 


i!¥ 


and  •hiieking:  of  the  «torn»,  p«aled  a  mhiote-^ti  of  a  ^\p 

in  distress,  Jike  an  agonized  cry  for  help.      •""  / 

"  H«av«n  bft  merdf uI  I  Usten  to  tliat  T  exetabned 
Mrs.  Tom,  tuhaing  pale. 

Another  fierce,  tempestnous  burst  of  wiftd  andralu 
another  biinrding  g*are  of  sulphtrrous  lifs^htntng ;  ^notftct 
appalling  peal  of  d«a^«jM«^  thundejl'  rent  tlmi  air.    And 
then  agaiji  boomed  the  tt)intite<^n  over  the  sea. 

"  Something  must  be  done ;  something  shall  be  dottef 
cried  Willard^  excited  beyond'  endurance,  at  the  thought 
of  so  many  perishing  almost  within  a  daxen  rods  of,  wher* 
he  istuod.  V  Carl,  my  boy,  come  with  me  j  and,  with  tIrtL 
assistance  o)  Lem,  we  may  be  able  to  sav«  some  of  tho^ 
perishing,  w^retehes."  ^  H 

"  It's  too  T«f/ 1"  said  a  terrified  voice,  frotti^he  cortttf/ 
as  its  owner  crouched  into  a  still  smaller  ball. 

But  Mrs.  Tom— who  never  forgot  the  practical  xm 
matter  what  her  alarm  might  be — went  over,  and^king 
tlie  unfortunate  youth  by  both  earss,  lifted  him,  5»ith  K 
jerk,  to  his  feet.  >  \ 

With  a  how:Vof  pain,.  Carl  extricated^iimself  f rbm  hw 
hands/  aod  clapped  both  his  own  palms  Over  the  injured 
members.     ^  '  -  <^'; 

"  Now,  go  this  minute,  and  get  your  hat  and  ovcrcoat,\^*ir 
and  g6\6vt  with  Mr.  Drummond,  and  do Whatever  yott 
can.    An<f  H  he  goes  laying  around,  just  give  hini(  a  blow', 
'long  side-^f  the  head,  and   make  him  know  hc'i  got  ^o 
mind^bft.    Come,  be  quick  !"  -      |  . 

Carl,  whose  dread  of  the-  storm  Was  far  inferibf  td  hfs 
dread  of  Mrs>  T.om>  donned  his  coat  and  hat  witj 


■*n 


al.ncnty'<->h^vtn^  tied  the  former  under  his  cbFa^  wHh  a 
red  harifdkerchie'f,  to  keep  it  on— stood  reftdy  to  depaV^ 


tha 


MtJif, 


^F" 


few 


,::*S^ 


4  Iff'  »''*"  '  ■'«'■•''''?  "Iff j 


m 


-  f 


TBB  BTOBM—TBB    WSBOK. 


Wiping  the  tears  from  his  eyes,  first  with  the  cuff  of  ode 
sleeve,  and  tljiien  With  the  other. 
^vU^^»   ^Willard  cast  one  look  nt  Christie,  who  haa  sunkon  the 
floor,  her  face  hidden  in  horXap ;  and  then  turned  to  deLi 
followed  by  the  unwilling  Garf.     The  blinding  gust  or 
wind  and  rain  that  met  them  in  thefac6  nearly  drove  ihem 
l»ck  ;  but,  bending  to  the  storm,  they  resolut^ly.plunged 
Qn.,;  and  it  required  all  the  strength  of  Mi-s.  Toto  to  close 
Jwe  door  after  them. 

^  ..  The~  storm  scemad  inordasing  in  fury.  The  wind 
howled,  xaged  and  shrieked  ;  the  waves  thundered  with 
terrific  force  over  the  rocks ;  the  thunder  roared,  peal  upon 
peal,  shaking  the  ve™||^r.ind  to  its  center;  the  lightning 
alone  lit  np  f6r  an  f^tant,  witii  its  blue,  livid  glare,  the 
pitchy  darkness  ;  and  tlien  the  cra^h  of  the  strong  trees  in 
the  neighboring  forest,  as  they  vvierc  violently  torn  up  by 
,  the  roots,  all  mingled  together  in  awful  discord. 

But,   above  all,   the   minute-gun-rdcame  wailing  once 
more  over  the  sea.' 

.  The  two,  plunging  so  blindly  through  the  storm,  has- 
tened on  as  if  winged  at  the  saddest  of  sounds.     And 
after  tumbling,  slipping,  falling,  rising,  a^  J^urrying  on 
again,  they  readied  th^ld  lodge  at  l-ist5»^^^^  ■     .  ' 

A  light  was  burnilf  in  the  kitchcii|^3|^H|hed  in''^ 
there-wet,   dripping,   .ind    half-bliadlF^T^ storm 
Aunt  Mol^  was  on  her  knees  in  tlie  middle  of  the  floor 
rOckThgba^k  and  forward,  and  praying  alqud  in  an  a-ony 
^r«'"  «"^  apprehension  ;  and  Lcm  was  ^valking  up 
'*—  groaning  and  praying,  at  intervals,  with  his 

'^^goodijl^^^  I-s  b^^en  a  drefful  siuneiy-r  j..;  htft  if    ' 


II 


do 


|Poiily  spare  me  jes'  aUi^le  while  longer,  I  tends  to 
letter.     Oh,  do  spare  me  1  I  ain't  rea4y.to  go  'deed  i^^ 


'^^■'A  -'-' 


^ife 


^  ' 

,£■  •" 

oath^ 

i^' 

>ust  oC^ 

' 

;  ihem 

unged 

)  close 

wind 

1  with 

upon 

umng 

c,  the 

ecs  in 

up  by 

:^,^  V 


SBil   BTORMr-TBB    WBBOKi 


mW^' 


r 


*flp 


4<' 

)L  'Slfl*I  ain't.  Please  do,  good  Lor',  an'  I'll  nebber  do 
W  notinn'  sinful  again.  Oh,  what  a  streak  o'  lightnin'  dat 
i^  'ar  was  !    O,  Lemuel,  kneel  down,  or  yer  ole  ihammy'lt " 

be  took  away  i'n  a  flash  o\  lignrnin'  like  'Lijah  was  " 
^  And  in  an  agony  oFT&r  Lem  tramped  up  and  down   / 

"  the  long  kitchen,  quaking  at  every  fresh  clap  of  tl^oder. 
"  Come,  cease  that  caterwauling  !"  said  Drummon<if  as 
he  burst  fn  upon  tbem,  dripping  like  a  , sea-god  ;  "and 
yoCi,  Lem,  get  your  coat,  and  come  with  us  down  to  the 
bench,  and  see  if  we. cannot  save  some  poor  unfortunates 
!rom  death  and  destruction."  r  5 

fc       "  'Deed,  Master  Drummin',  honey,  I  dassent,  I's  'feared  , 
to  go-out,"  said  Lem,  his  teeth  chattering  like  a  pair  ql 
castanets.  ^  ,     . 

"You  black  villain,  if  you  are  not  ready  in  ten  min- 
utes, I'll  thrash  you  till  you  are  not  able  to  stir!"  ex- 
claimed Willard,  ca'^king  and  shaking  him  furioiisl^. 

Too  terrified  by  the  young  man's  fierce  tone  to  resist, 
Lem  drew  on  his  hat  and  coat,  and,  shaking  lik6  one  to 
an  ague-fit,  followed  them  out  into  the°  night,  and  dark- 
ness, and  storm.  ' -T 
Once  more  over  the  tempest-tossed  waves  rolled  th»V 
*     mournful  voice  of  the  minute-gun,  like  a  dying  cry. 

"Oh,  Heaven, this  is  maddening!"  exclaimed  Willard, 
rushinpr  to  the  beach  like  one  demented^  "  to  think  thcjr 
should  periih  thus,  within  reach  pf  us  almost,  while  w^ 
arc  here  in  safety.  Carl,  where  is  your  boat?  Iwill  ven-t 
lure  out,  and  sec  if  I  cannot  save  some  One,  at  least." 

"bh,  Marsc  Drummin. !  for  de  dear  Loril's  ssrfce,  doii't 
risk  it !"  cried  Lem,  'in>n  agony  of  terror.  ""No.  beat 
could  live  two  tninutes  Lndcm  waveiL"  — ^ — — .___>-_„i_,j_„_. 


•*  You  couldn't  launch  the  boat  in  these brea4erq^'^Mp:.>'tj 
Carl^'^BiiiGlilessimU,  ifjouwcreintoher."  , 


%^  a 


X%j 


^; 


''Attd  they  must  ^rish  before  our  very  eyes  !    tsL 
fteayens,  Ais  is  awful  I"         '  ^  ^^ 

AgAtn  he  listened  for  thd  gun,  but  it  c^me  no  more 
Its  voice  was  silenced  in  stor'fe  and  deatli. 

"  They  have  gone  down  ^^said  Carl ;  "  th6  signal  gun 
WHlfire  no  more."     ^ 

-   •Heaven  have  mercy  on  their  souls  J"  said  VVillard 
«aemnly,  lifting  his  hat.  \  ' 

"  Amen !"  said  Lem,  whose  f^rs  seemed  swallowed 
tip  m  awe.  )    ^  \ 

*'  We  may  soon  Idbk  out  for\the  bodies,"  said  Car' 
slraining  his  eyps  over  the  black,  teething  waves.  ' 

Even  as  he  spoke,  by  the  blinding  light  of  a  g1|fg  of 
lightning  they  beheld  two  bodies,  lathed  to  a  spar,  ttiW»  *L, 
violently  6n  the  sands  near  them.  \  All  s%rigjfferw4^,     H 
and  drew  them  up  beyond  the  reach  W  the  Waves.  ♦(    ^,' A^ 

"Unfasten  this  rope,"  said  Carl,  ^ and  we  4tfp^rini. 
them  up  to  the  house.  Perhaps  they  iiay  notffe'drowheT^ 
y*'-"  /  ■  '  \    -  ''1  ,     '  I  ■ 

^^^  "One's  a  woman,"  said  Lem,  as  hte  ^the  lashing. 
"  Lean  carry  her,  I  reckon,  while  you  two  tote  the  man 
long.** 

"^        "  Go  on,  th^in,"  said  Willard,  "  up  i6^rs.  tom's.     Be 
quiek  f" 

Bearing,  with  the  utntosf  difficulty,  theiV  wet  andappar- 
ently  lifeleiss  burdens  in  their  arms,  they  ^ached  the  cot- 
tage of  the  widow,  and  deposited  the  Wsel^s  f.;rms 
iMfore  the  fire.  Then,  leaving  them  to  her  clxi^ge  and  that 
of  Christie,  they  descended  once  more  to  thci  beach  to  rcs- 
^„»M  other  Urtfprtut^te^ mM  iaight-pr»feMentiaUy  bo 
washed  ashore. 

toWaM  ittldiilght  the  Stordi  Abfttid,  6ttd  the  king  of 

^^*»p«»t  wu«aif  iMg&ii  t<f  aiii  di  mi  aaitg.  the  mM 

i.  ,T?'-'  "'.(J   i^' .  '.i«"f^! 


■'il^^?.. 


• .-  -  f  %•*. 


■^  2^ 


g^^i^|/i^>;  r.JJ^^^  -,*-v^:t'V?^  ^^^,^5  ^^^^ 


y         ^i.  *  *  » 

msrZ'S  RBTUBN  TO   XS9  'liSliA 


m 


^  H^ck  clouds  slowly  rolled  back,  the  lightning  ceased  to 
flash,  and  the  thunder  only  growled  in  the  distance.  The 
wind  abated^  and  the  t»in  fell  more  slowly  ;  but,  though 
tjiey  waited  until  morning  dawned,  no  moj^e  bodies  were 
wafted  to  tl^eir  feet.  > 

The  next  day's  light  showed  a  scene  of  ruin  andjckath. 
The  beach  was  strewn  in  every  direction  with  fragments 

c  of  the  broken  ship,  and  some  half-do^n  dead  bodies  lay 
scatteredpn  the  sands.  All  were  cold  and  dead;  and  sad 
aod^disappointed,  our  tired  and  drenched  watchers  tu^rned 
away.         \ 

Befor^  going  to  the  lodge  Willard  visited  the  cottage, 

s^  and  leariiled  that  th^^scued  ones  were  both  alive,  and 

I    Dhight  recover.    And,  grateful  to  have  been  th?  mea;i^  o| 

saving  even  two  of  the  unfortunates,  h^  sdught;  his  own 

f<f, couch,  to  dream  of  wrecks  %nd  drowned  m,en  tUl  iioiQn- 

day. 


\ 


r 


'  CHAPTER  3tII. 

SIBYl/s  RETURN  TO  THE  ISLS. 


I 


<-"  There  i$  a  shadow  in  h«r  e3r«|,        /  . 

A  languor  in  her  frame  ; 
Yet  rouse  her  spirit  and  shell  glow 

With  passion's  &erce)^  flame."— T.  W.  q. 

T  was  late  in  the  afternoon  of  the  following  day  wheti 
Willard  Drummond  left  the  lodge  for  Mrs.  Tom's 
cottage.    Curiosity  to  see  the  rescued  ones  premp«\ 


"tedffievrMtasmuchasanjrothM^ 
along  rapkiiy,  viewing  thte  scene  "of  d^solatioa  wjuck  ^ 
preceding  nighf«  tempest  h^d  left.  "  ^  T   ''  ' 

The  oottafl^  door  was  opon  to  a^nit  tiif  ^kmim^^^ 


'  \ 


\   \^ 
i9      ^         BirnVS  BMTVRN   TO    THE  IStS. 

shine,  and  Willard  paused  for  a  moment  to  view  the  scene 
before  he  entered. 

Mrs.  Tom  went  bustling  about  the  room   in  her  usual 
breezy,  chirruping  way,  talking  incessantly,  but  in  a  sub- 
dued  tone,   as   though   afriiid    of  disturbing^  some   one. 
Christie  sat  near   the  win(|ow,  bending  over  her  sewi.n^^ 
looking  pale  still,  after  the  terror  and  excitement  of  tl»^ 
previous   nighi.     But   WTilard's  eyes   did   not  lin^et-^:^ 
moment  on   her;    they  were   fixed,  as   if  fascinated,  ofi 
another,  who  lay  bafck  in  Mrs.  Tom's  arm-chair,  propped 
up  with  pillows. 

It  was  the  woman,  or  rather  the  girl,  he  had  saved. 
What  was  there  in  that  pale  young  face  to  make  him 
surt  so  vei)emenily,  while  the  blood  rushed  in  a  crimson 
torrent  to  his  very  temples  ?  He  only  saw  a  small,  slight 
figure*;  short,  crisp,  golden  curls  clustering  over  a  rotind, 
whitP,  polibhed  forehead  ;  bright,  saucy  gray  eyes,  half 
vailed  now  under  the  long,  silken  eyelashes,  resting  on  the 
pearly  check ;  a  little  rosebud  mouth,  and  a  nose  deci- 
dedly tetrousse.  It  was  not  a  wonderfully  pretty  face; 
but  there  was  something  bright,  piquant,  original,  and 
charming  about  it— something  daring,  defiant,  and  high- 
'/  spirited,  as  you  could  see  even  in  its  pallor  and  languor. 
'  She  might  have  been  sixteen,  though  she  scarcely  looked 

"    so  old  as  that. 

She  lay  back  now  with  her  I'ttle  white  hands  folded 
listlessly  on  her  lap,  her  vailed  eyes  fixed  upon  them  with 
a  dreamy,  abstracted  look,  as  of  one  whose  thoughts  are 
far  away— replying  low  and  languidly  to  Mrs.  Tom's 
ceaseless  questioning,  And  Willard  Drum  mo  nd,  pale 
and  excited,  leaned  against  the  door-post,  gazing  upon 
l^er  like  one  who  cannot  believe  his  senses. 

Suddenly  Christie  raised  her  eyes  from  her  work,  and 


%m^u 


•ffx 


ttarvs  RBTxatN  to  tee  isle. 


m 


uttered  an  ejaculation  as  she  espied  him.  He  could 
linger  no  longer,  andjike  one  who  walks  in  his  sleep,  he 
passed  in. 

the  clear,  dark  eyes  of  the  little  lady  in  the  chair  mere 
raised  as  he  enter|d,  and  fixed  with  a  look  of  complete 
amazement  on  his  l^ce.  Her  dark  eyes  dilated— her  lips 
parted  in  surprises,  is  she  made  an  effort  to  rise  from  her 
chair,|and  then  ^nk  back-^^xhau^ted. 

"Willard  Drummond !"  broke  in  surprise  from  her 
lips- 
'•-j/     "Laura!"  he  exclaimed. 

Aad  he  was  by  her  side  in  an  instant,  holding  her 

hands  in  his,  and  gazing  in  her  eyes  with  a  look  that 

would  have  aroused  Sibyl's  jealousy,  had  she  been  pres- 

.   ent,  but  which  only  puzzled   Christie,  who,  with    Mrs. 

Tom,  looked  on  in  astonishment.  \ 

"  Who  in  the  world  would  have  expected  to  meet  you 
here!"  said  the  lady,  recovering  first  from  a  moment's 
embarrassed  silence  ;«' certainly  the  last  spot  on  earthy 
should  ever  look  for  the  gay,  pleasure-loving  Willard 
Drummond.  So,  sir,  I  presume  you  have  been  'taking 
the  world  easy,'  here  in  this  Enchanted  Isle,  while  your 
pool",  deluded  friends  were  laboring  under  the  conviction 
you  were  inaproving  your  mind— which  needed  improv- 
ing, goodnejss  knows— by  foreign  travel  ?  Pretty  con- 
duct, Mr.  Difummond,  I  must  say  !" 

"Oh,  Laura!  Laura!  how  little  did  I  dream,  last 
night,  you  were  in  that  fatal  ship  !"  he  exclaimed,  passion-, 
ately. 

^"yghljresx  wasn't  it  awful  ?"  said,  the  youag^ 

with  a  shudder,     "I'll   never   get  the  horrid  sight  "and 
sounds  of  that  dreadful   night  ojit  of  my  mind  wh;le  Iv 
live     Oh  I   to  have  heard  the  scream*^  and  cn«a,'Oiid.^ 


'f\ 


'h^-<r 


iM  '   tt 


mBTZ'8;  ns'j 


TO:  am  -KSSft 


pfti9!«^«  and  blospliemies  of  the  drowning  crewj  mingling 
ititlit  tbfr  teoxflul  storoi,  was  appallingvllbly  saints,  ^  I 
lijear  them  yet !" 

Wiidi  a  Cf»ivul!siv.tt.s}ii«ddep,  she  l»d  b^'fftco  in  her 

"  Xhan^  Beavea  your-  lif*  was  saved*,  at  least,"  said 
Xhrumniond,  widi  tptvot.  <. 

"  Yes,  our  escape  was  little  les»  than.  nW^iaculous.  I 
eenetaber  sooie  one-  making  me  fast  tp  a  flo^itiBg  spar,  as 
the  ship  struck  ;  then  the  waves  swept  furiously  oyer  me, 
and  I  remember  no  more,  until  I  awofc©  and  found  kind 
iriends  chafing  my  hands  and  temples.  Was  it  you  who 
saved  me,  Willard  ?!' 

'♦^Not  exactly.  The  waves  washed  you  ashore,  and 
nty  part  of  it  was  merely  to  have  you  conveyed  up  here. 
But  how  little  did  I  dream  then,  that  Laura  Britton  was 
90.  near!" 

**  Laura  Go»»rtney,  if  you  please,  Mr.  Drummond,"  she 
said,  quietly.  "  I  have  had  the  honor  of  changing  my 
tta'Be  since  I  saw  you  last." 

-   **  And  you  /utvt  married  Edgar  Courtney  !    Oh,  Laura, 
Laura?"  be  said,  reproachfully. 

Her  eyes  flashed  as  she  faced  suddenly  round,  and 
^  «aiid,  sharply : 

*    "Y(?;s,   I   have   nnarried    him;    and,   Mr.   Drummond, 

"don't  you  dare  to  speak  of  him  in  that toRe'^^ain.     I  will 

.nq^endure  it.     No,  not  if  you  hid  saved  my  life  a  dozen 

times.."      , 

The  angry  blood  flushed  to  her  pale  cheek,  and  she 
her  hand  angrily  away  from  his  grasp. 


-IfiricfidL 


WiiUrd  bit  bis  Up  till  it  bled,  to  keep  down ^s  rising 
anger ;  while  Christie  &\^d  Mrs,  Tom  still  sat  staring  in 
jJMnraiiny  aawwcawsat.  ,       ■  -  .  '} 


over  me. 


•  ^iA' 


Inhere  was  a  long,  4t^agree^ble  j  pause,  ibroken  at  last 
by  Mrs.  Courtney  fs0fy'mg,  in  hef  usual  quick,  vibtupt 
way:  / 

"There  !  you  need- not  getmdd,  now,  Willard.;  have 
you  forgotten  that  no  one  used  ever  to  get  angry  at  any- 
thing said  by  'Madcap  Laura ?'    Come,  don't  &pea4c so  of 
Mr.  Courtney  again,  and  I'll  forgive  you  ;  there's  pg^'^ad    • 
on  it.    I  ^^nnot  forget  that  we  are  old  friends." 

A  shadow  ^ro^ed  -Willaj-d's  face,  «s  he  bent  over  4be 
little  hand  she  extended. 

"  Has  your — has  Mr.  Courtney  bsen  savsd?"  he- asked, 
in  a  subdued  tone. 

"Yes,  the  waves  washedusa^ore  together,  but  some- 
thing struclchim  on  the<hend,  and  he>i^  unable  to  rise.    I 
suppose  you  are  puzzling  your  braius^ow  to  know  what  .    ^ 
brought  us  to  this  quarter  of  i  ih*  globd  ?  'f  * 

"  I  confess  I  Imve  some  curiosity  a«  thatpoittt."     - 

"Well,  you  see,"  said' little  Mrs.  Courtney, adjusting 
herself  more  eottifortably  in  her  ^haii^,  "we  weflt<on  a  ' 
bridal-tour  to  New  York,  and  on  our  way  home  Edgar 
thought  he  would  iBali  at^eitpoft,'where<he  Iiatd; business 
of  some'kind.  All  thewtty  we  h^d>fine  weather^ntil  the 
journey  Wb;s  at  its  end,  and  then  the  storm  arose  in  which 
we  nearly  perisbNi.  ^But,  Willard,  what  under  the  sun 
can  ImVe  driven  you  here  ?"  >  ^' 

Willard  colored  as  he  met  het-kee)i,^bright^lanee. 

"  Well,  I  came  with  a  friend  of  mine, a  certain  Captain 
Campbell,  Who  owns  aresidence  here,  and  ?!  am  ifor  the  ■ 
present  his  gu^t,  though  un^ipected  business,  lorttititne^ 
called  him  away.    Anything  for  a  change,  you  ktiow,"<l>e 
iiddccr,TlBBgfiiig,^*^ha  iMslil 


aeitiMd  oT 


attraction." 

**%  «o  iiti^aiM,"  itaid  -Urs.  Cmmatsy,  ;|^a&«ta(g  %9- 


i.'m/ 


ist 


» BlSTL'a  RETUSir   TO    TBE  I8LB: 


I 


niurely  at  Christie.  "  I  certainly  admire  your  good  taste 
in  saying^so.  Once  here,  with  such  a  divinity  as  tbis,  I 
cab  easily  account  for  the  attraction  that  bijids  you,  most 
fickle  6f  men,  here,"  she  added,'in  a  lower  tone. 

"Pshaw,  Laura  1"  he  said,  striving  to  hide  by  a  laugh 
the  guilty  iush  that  lingered  still  on  his  face,  "  you  surely 
do  not  think  I  have  forgotten  j»'<!'«  so  Soon  ?" 

"  If  it  were  any  one  else  I  woulAuat,  but  you— oh,  you 
never  would  be  true  to  any  one  fonder  than  a  month. 
Talk  about  woman's  fickleness  !  I'm  sure  the  wind  never 
was  half  so  changeable  as  you.''  ' 
I  "Yes,' you  gave  me  grieat  encouragement  to  be  true  to 
you"  he  answered,  with  some  bitterness. 

"  Did  I,"  said  MrsL  Coih-tney,  with  «i  yawn.    "  Well,  I 
know  I  was  a  horrid  little  simpleton  ohce,  but  I've  grown 
dd  ind  wise  now.    And,  if  it's  all  the  same  to  you,  Mr. 
Drutnmond,  I'll  leave  you  now.     I  feel  tired  and  half  sick 
►>     yet,  jxfter  last  night.". 


d\}e  rose  and  went  into  the  room  with  a  weary,  tired 

air.    'v-  i  V  '  '  i     '  ^ 

iv'  "  So,  you  know  her?"  said  Mrs.  Tom.  "  Who'd  ever 
thought  it?'So  that  tall,  dark-looking  (ellow,  with  all  thg 
whiskers  and  mustaches,  is  her  husband?  I  declare  if  it 
ain't  scandalous  the  way  gals  wt'U  get  married  afore 
they're  ou^  o'  short  frocks.  I  jist  wish  I  had  a  darter— no, 
I  mean  if  I  /uxda.  darter— I'd  like  to  see  her  tryin'  to  get 
married  at  such  an  unchristian  age  !" 

Christie  turned  scarlet,  and  bent  lower  over  her  work. 

Willard  stood  leaning  with  one  arm  ton  the  mantel- 
piece^  gazing  thoughtfully  into  tlie Jfire. 


'•What  did  you  say  her  name  was^?""  inquired  TSfirs. 
Tom,  sitting  down,  arid  beginning  to  reel  off  yarn. 
'  "  Mrs.  Ec^ar  Courtney,  now  ;  she  was  Laura  Brltf^n 


#) 


K 


*TSIV> 


i>iv* 


l^rrs   BETURN   TO    TEE   JBLR 


when  I  last  met  lier,"  he  said,  as  if  half  speaking  to  him- 
self. ,  /         - 
♦•  S'pose  you've  kno*n  her  a  long  time  ?"  coiitinued 

Mrs.  Tom. 

"  Yes,  we  were  children  together,"  he, replied,  in  the 
same  dreamy  tone. 

^"And  lier  husband — known  hira  long?"  pursue^^Mr^ 
Tom. 

••Yes,  I  know  him  for  a  cruel,  jealous,  passionate 
tyrant!"  said-.JVVillard,  starting  up  so  suddenly  and 
fiercely  that  Mrs.  To™  dropped  the  bail  she  was  winding, 
and  sprang  back. 

•'  Well,  you  needn't  make  such  a  fuss  about  it !"  she 
exclaimed,  recovering  lierself,  and  indignantly  resuming 
her  work.     "  Scaring  a  body  out  o*  iheir  wits  for  nothiQ'.  , 
I  s'pose  she  knowed  all  that  afore  she  took  him." 

"Pray,  pardon  my  vehemence,  Mrs.  Tom,"  said  Wil- 
lard,  recovering  himself  by-an  effort,  as  he  saw  Christie's 
troubled  gaze  fixed  on  his  face;  "I  forgot  myself  for  % 
moment.  But  this  patient  of  yours,  this  Mr.  Courtq^y,. 
may  need  a  doctor.  I  am  going  over  to  VVestport  to-  "^ 
night,  and  if  you  wish,  I  will  bring  one  to-morrow."  '  -    , 

"  It  would  be  better,"  said  Mrs.  Tom,  thoughtfully. 
"  He's  got  a  temenjouscut  right  in  his  head.  I  did  what 
I  could  for  him  ;  but,  of  course,  a  body  would  feel  more 
satified  if  they  had  a  reu'lar  doctor." 

"  If  I  were  ill,  Mrs.  Tom,  I  should  trust  to  you  ii.  prist- 
ereiice  to  any  doctor  ever  warranted  to  kill  or  cure,"  said 
Willard,  as  he  took  his  hat  to  go.  ,v 

Mrs.  Tom  smiled   benignly  at  the  compliment,  q^i^$  ^i?^ 
elijrhtedatrtlits  tacit  iieknv^whjdfrmeiJt  of  her  sUiW^i' 


'^,V»'  t3 


And  an  hour  aftgr,  Willard  and   Lem  were,  on  their 
way  to  WfotRQit. 


it. 


ir'-"  *. 


'V^i 


■^4^ 


''  ''  ^Whrit  WeVe  Willatd  Prammond's  thoughts,  as,  sitting 
•Uently  in  the  stern  of  the  boat,  he  watched  the  dancing 
waves  flash  and  sparMe  in  the  stinlight  ?    Very  different 

-froitf  those  he  had  indufged  not  long  since,  when,  on  one 
eventful  night,  he  and  Christie  had  crossed  it  together. 
This  Laura  Courtney,  with  her  pretty,  piquant  face,  and 
pert,  sau<^  manners,  had  first  woi>  his  >oy  ish  heart.  He 
bad  raved,  and  vowed,  and  implored  at  hpr  feet,  but  she 
only  laughed  at  him  and  his  passion,  and  now  she  had  no 

*ttl6i«  power  over  his  heart  than  if  s^e  never  existed. 
Might  it  not  be  the  same  with  those  he  ihad  loved  since  ? 
Was  not  hi*  passion  for  Christie  beginning  to  grow  cold 
already?  Would  it  not  grow  bolder  every  day.  And  in 
the  bt«;  ardor  of  his  love  he  had  made  this  little  obscure, 
iin^nbated,  shy  child,  his  wife.  Why,  oh,  why,  had  he 
not  waited?  Arid  now  ihiit;ibe  deed  was  inseparable, 
where  was  5his  to  end  ? 

They  reaehed  Westport  before  dark  ;  and  Lem,  having 
landea  him,  set  off  for  the  island  again,  prqmising  to 

^Mstiirt^ior  him  in  the  morning.     The  moon  ^vas  just  rising 

ibove  the  pine  trees  when   he  reached  home;  and,  on 

entering  the  house,  the  first  object  he  beheld  was  his 

young  mistress,  in  close  conversation  with  his  mother. 

"Lor*  sakes,  Miss  Sibyl  !  ydu  here !"  was  Lem's  first 

ejaculation. 

♦•  Yes,  Lem  ;  and  glad  tobehpme  again,"  she  answered, 
gayly.  "Aunt  Moll  tells  me  y^u  have  just  been  tliking 
Mr.  Druttimond  over  to  We/tport."  . 

"So  1  hev  ;  but  I'm  to^go-  for  him  early  to-morrow- 
^orttin.'  /Spect,  ef^he^  know  you  was  a  comin,'  bed 

«  Htimt^h  !"  sitttd  Auttt  Moll,  dubioiKly. 


■,.'>! 


f 


-'(f*. 


HDid'lie  seenw  lowely  during  mjfw^uring  wrrmbteaco  I" 

VP-    V  "Lonesome ?    'Deed  he  didn't,  honey  y fee  was  tn •  fo«t 
rate  spirits  all  the  time."  r         „; 

"  Ah  !"  said  Sibyl,  a  shadow  falling  oyer  her  laceV****»^^^ 
spent  his  tin*e  to  fisliing  awd  ihootlng,'  I  «uppos^;  and » 
soarittg  birds?" 

"  Snarin  birds?  Yes ;  an'  caught'one,  too,"^id  A*wit 
M6U,  iwa  tone  that  sjDolcc  volumes..  i 

"6i^g!it  ottet  'What  do  you  mean,  'Au»t  Moll  \?^  4, 
don't  wsderwaad,^' said  ^ibyl,  anxiously.  \        ' 

"Miss Sibyl; do»*t  listen  to  her.  She?s allers^c some 
nonscosei to tell,"^  Interrupted' Lena,  oastiogam  angry  axA 
warning  glance  toward  his  mother.  .'  ':*  ;'   ^ 

But  now  that  the  oj^portunity  she  had  so  long  iwaittd 
for  had  come,  the  old  woman's  tongue  was  not  to  be 
stoppred. 

♦<  It^sall  fur  yer^od,  child,  ^Mced  ifcis  ;i*n'  I  -sidcfsit 
iny<*«ty  tfo  warn  you,  toon$y,  (dat  MassaiDran*0(i«iBd',aiBJ|, 
tobe 'pended -on.    Dar  !'* 

"Aunt  Moil,  nrhat  do  y«m*  mean?    Speak, -and  tell  iwe 
what  you  are  hinting  at.    What :  has  Mr.  >  Dntmmoiii^^ 
done?'*    askeid  Sibyl,  growing  very  palfe. 

"Well,  chile,  'stead  o'stayin,'  here,  aadtMakittgdb 
you,  as  he'd  orter, "he's  been  prowlin',  all  hotirs  >o' j^e 
night,  round  de  island,  wid  dat  'ar  Miss  Chrissy-^mafcing 
lub  to  her,  I'll  be  bound."  \'^^ 

"  IVAai  t"  cried  ^yl,  4n  a  tode  that  mode  the  old 
.voman  leap  to4ifcr  feet,  ay  she  sprang  forward,  and  caught 
her  by  the  arm.  '^  Dare  you  insinuate  such  a  thing?  1 
*eL  you  *te-coui'd  not,  and  hei^ouklaiot—- hedareMot  ptwwa 

ie.'l^iire'n'    "  -- ,—  - - -^      -_..... ^j.,„.=i^ 

**  Mis&45ibyl,iioi»sy  li^r  de^JLotcifs  take,  doitftlMky^ 


^i-* 


tA,* 


viJUi'SW'-j  ■■    '  ,~-^  --."^    '. .  iff*  ■ 


^' 


H90 


BIBTVB   RETUm  TO    TBB  18LB, 


^  \ 


t. 


me  wid  such  wild  eyes.    I  ^spec's  she's  .witched  him.    I 
can't  'count  for  it  no  other  way,"  said  Aunt  Moll,  trem- 
bling be|(^re  the  awful  wrath  of  those  blazing  eyes.    "  T 
H)n'y  says  what  I  knows.     He's  all  the  time  talkin'  'bout 
,  her  t6  hisself,  when  he's  'lone.''  ^  „  * 

"It  cannot  be  true  ;  be  dare  not  deceive  me^|  almost 
shrieked  Sibyl.  "  What  proof  have  you  of  thi|l^>«3peak  ! 
speak !'  .«' 

"Miss  Sibyl,  honey  !  you  may  'sassinate  me  efyou's  a 
mind  to ;  but  I's  tellin'  de  trufe.  Sence  eber  you.  left, 
dey  ain't  a  minute  apfart.  Dey've  sailed  in  de  riber  after 
night,  an'  gone  ir^mpin'  in.de  woods  in  de  day  time  ;  an' 
I's  heered  him  callin'  her  his  'de^atfjChrissy,'  when  he's 
'lonfc.  I  knows,  chile,  'taint  pleasa^'flor  likewise  'gree- 
able  for  you  to  hear  dis  :  but  I  talks  fof  your  good,  honey 
/-iMeed  I  does." 

But  now  the  first  fierce  gust  of  passion  was  over,  and 
pale  and  tottering,  Sibyl  leaned  against  the  chimney- 
piece — her  arm  on  the  mantel,  her  head  bowed  upon  it, 
shuddering,  sinking,  collapsed.  All  liis  neglect,  that  had 
puzzled  her  &o  long,  was  accounted  for  now.  She  was 
lorgotten^— deserted,  for  this  island  girl  ! 

So  long  Ihe  remained  in  that  fixed,  rigid  attitude,  that 
Audt  Moll  began  to  grow  alarmed ;  and  she  was  o^  the 
point  of  commencing  a  consoling  speech,  beginning  with  : 
"  Miss  Sibyl,  honey,"  when  the  young  girl  lifted  her  head, 
and,  asked  in  a  hollow  voice  :  j    >  ^^j. 

\  "  Is  this  -this  girl  on  the  island  sftill  ?" 

"  Yes,  chile,  ob  course  she  is — down  to  MissrTom,s." 

For  a  moment  longer  Sibyl  stood,  gazing  steadily 

before  her,  with  those  wild,  fierce,  burning  eyes  •,  her  face 

^ptitbUly  ^I6rifess7save  ihartwordarfeipurple  spots  blazed 

in  juad  out  upon  it  like  burning  co^ls ;  her  teeth  sJi^V^r 


^iSl^^^W','*'^-'-*'''*^  -^f-J  ''•7'; 


7!B27   MEBTlSa.  , 


>(o 


hands  clenched.  All  the  humiliation,  the  shame,  the 
agony  of  being  deserted,  rushed,  like  a  burning  torrent, 
through  her  mind.  And  with  it  came  a  fierce,  demoniacal, 
hatred  6f: her  idol,  and  a  deadly  wish  to  b^  revenged.^ 

Starting  suddenly  up,  she  fled  up  tne  stairs,  thi^ough 
the  long,  unlighted  hall,  out  of  the  front  door,  and  took 
.-Jthe  path  leading  to  Mrs.  Tom's. 

The  bright  moonlight  lit  all  around  wit5  ajpis^6,  ra4i-> 
ant  glory.  And,  standing  near  a  rock,  commanding 
an^Xfehsive  view  of  the  sea,  Christie  stood,  ep joying  the 
beauty  of  the  night,  when  suddenly  a  fierc^  grasp  was 
laid" on  her  shoulder,  and  ^le  looked  up.  '  Her  visiop  waA 
realized.  Sibyl  Campt>ell  stood  glaring  ape  n  her,  witfat 
her  fierce,  wild,  blacic  eyes,  her  long  hair  stirea  ming.dowQ 
her  back,  like  an  aroused  tigress  preparing  to  spring.^'    :" 


-    ^1 


CHAPTER  XIII. 

THE     MEETING. 

"Thou  mayest  hold  a  serpent  by  the  toagu  s, 
A  chafed  lion  by  the  mortal  paw, 
A  fasting  tiger  safer  by  the  tooth. 

Than  cross  this  love  of  mine."  | 

1 


TREMBLING,  paralyzed,  shrinking  with\  terror  and 
superstitious  awe,  as  she  recollected  ner  vision,    ^ 
Christie  stood  quailing  before  that  dark;  passion-^ 
ate  glance. 

And,  glaring  upon  her  with  a  hatred  and  jealousy  that 

her  with  a  momehtarjt'llNi^i^)  Sibyl  ^ood,  transfixii^hef 


>-.^^l 


-K  ^' 


H4y 


vti». 


»V' 


■->, 


> 


p:<^--. 


with  thbsc  wilili  fictcc  ey^s.  With  bne  gtsktoie  sfcpBtddk 
!n  all  her  rivarswctracirdinary  beauty/ far  surpassing  even 
wlllit  she  f ettr«d ;  and  the  sight,  to  her  passionate  beart, 
^wifji'  like  oil  poured  upon  'flafitte.  ''^' 

,  i     *J  So,"  she  hissed,  at  jeogth,  through  her  closed  ttm»t 
^i,«  pretty  Miss  Christie  has  found  a    lover  during  ray 
*"      absence.     Girl,  take  care  !     You  have  begun  a  dangerous 
gani«;  but  the  end  has/not  come  !" 

Her  words  broke  the  spell  of  terror  that  held  Christie 
dumb.    And  now,  noticing  her  disordered  attire,  and  wild, 
^^ibcvcled  hair,  she^  said,  in  surprise  and  entreaty  : 
;||f>    "  iiiss  Sibyl,  wbat  ha^  happened  ?    What  have  I  done  ? 
1  did  not  know  you  were  bn  the  island."  - 

'No ;  |. am  awate  of  that,"  sa^d  Sibyl,  with  a  hard,  bit- 
ter hiuj^.  "Oh,  it  isR  wondroufepity  I  should' hdivd  come 
80  s6on  to  ,spoil  the  sport !  Y6u  and  your  dainty  lover 
thought  yourselves  secure — thou;jht  Sibyl  Campbell  far 
away.  But  again  I  say  to  you,  beware  !  for  'twere  better 
lorypu  to  tamper  with  a  lioness  robbed  ot  her  young 
,than  with  the  passions  of  this  beating,  throbbing  heslrt  !" 
V  She  locked  like  some  priestess  of  doom  denouncing 
f41  mankind,  as  she,  stood  there,  with  her  long,  black, 
^ti«a|ning  hair,  her  wild,  burning,  passionate  eyes,  her 
|ace  white,  rigid,  asnd  ghastly,  sstve  wher^e«the  two  purple 
spots  still  blazed  in  &nd  odt  on  either  caieek. 

"Oh,  Miss  Sibyl— dear  Miss  Sibyl  !  what  have  I  done  ? 
<^\l{\  never, '««w- tneant  to  offend  you,  or  stand  in  yoiir 
p^h ;  as  Hcaren  hears  tat,  I  did  not !  Tell  tne,  only  tell\ 
|he  in  what  I  hat^e  pff^ded,  atad  I  will  never  do  it  ajgain," 
^id  Christie,  clamping  her  hands  in  increasingj^rror  and 
childiike  -sitatpiiciity.  / 


^, 


"Sirt" 


n.-: 


?->  *- 


-.v,-(^~ 


'  ^^'s^'lS^it^'^'^^^^h^\:    \^ 


?*■:>■: 


:----i^\ 


TBB  'SaiETIl!r&. 


Its 


-1 


"  Miss  Sibyl,  I  do  n6t  know^indeed,  indeed,  I  do  not 
know  !"  exclaimed  Christie,  earnestiy. 

In  all  the  storm  of  anger  and  jealousy;  that'  raged  in  Mr 
soul,  a  look  of  superb)  fcorn  curled  the  lips  of  SiByl. 
^  "  You  do  not  know  KOh,  wondrous  innocence  !  angelic 
simplicity  !  Must  I  despise  as  *weU  as  hdte  you  ?  'Listen, 
then,  since  I  m  ust  speak  xnf-  sham^,  and  answer  me  tniljr, 
as  you  hope  for  salvation.    Promise.'  .-^^ 

"I  proraise!" 

"Swear  to  answer  me  truly,  by  all  you  hold  dear  Mi 
earth  I  by  your  hopes  of  ^eaven  !"  , 

"I  swe^r!  Oh,  Sibyl,  speak  !"  cried^Christie,  wr6Ught 
up  to  ftnr  agony  of  terror  ^and  excitement  by  her  wild 
words. 

"  Then,  and  may  Heaven's  heaviest  curse  fall  upon  ht«i 
if  I  conjecture  truly — has  Wilhird  DrummSnd  dared  -^llc^' 
speak  of  love  to  you  ?"  ^ 

Pale,  trembling,  te^ror-st^icken,^Christie,'s  tongue  clove 
to  the  roof  of  her  mouth  ;  had  her  life  depended  on  iu  nt> 
sound  could  have  escaped  her  quivering  lips. 

"Speak,  and  tell  me!  Speak,  for  I  must  know — I 
have  a  right  i^  know  ?"  cried  Sibyl,  grasping  her  arm,  andl 
getting  her  teeth  hard  to  keep  down  the  teiApest  of  paV 
sion  that  was  svyeeping  through  her  soul. 

"  Oh,  spar^vme — spare  mc  !"  waileid  Christie,  liftitt^. 
up  her  pleading  hands.  t- 

"Death,  girl  !  Must  I  tear  the  truth  from  yonr  lil^ 
heart !  Tell  me,  truly,  has  he  dared  to  speak .  of  Ibve, 
and  have  you  dared  to  listen  to  him  ?  Heavens  I  ^IH 
you  speak  before  I  am  tempted  to  murdei-youl" 

"  Oh,  do  not  ask  me-r-do  not  tisk  me !"  cHed  Chrhfde; 
iaa-dpag  voice,  a»tfeaabilpg»l8tatt^,  she  wdk  ftt^Hte 
feet  of  her  terrible  foe. 


K* 


%s 


H. 


-^iiS 


'■^U'l 


K^  ,  ^.. 


O*' 


184 


THE  MBETINQ, 


With  her  hands  clenched  until  the  nails  sank  into  the 
quiyerirtg  flesh,  her  teeth  set  hard,  her  deep,  labored 
br-e^*hing,  her  passion-tonvulsed  face,  she  looked  more 
like  an  enraged  pythoness  than  a  frail  girl  learning  for 
the  first  time  her  lovpr's  infidelity. '. 
'  She  required  no  further  proof  now.  He  whom  she 
w«uld  have  trusted  with  her  soul's  salvation  was  false. 
And,  oh  !  what  Is  there  more  terrible  in  this  world  than 
to  learn  that  one  whom  we  love  and  trust  has^  proven 
untrue  ? 

^  Sibyl  had  loved  as  she  had  done  everything  else— 
madly  ;  had  trusted  blindly  ;  had  worshipped  idolatrously,' 
adoring  man  instead  of  God  ;  and  now  this  awakening 
was  doubly  terrible.  Had  Christie  been  in  her  place,  she 
would  have  wept  and  sobbed  in  the  utter  ab^indon  of  sor- 
row ;  l?ut  her  grief  would  have  been  nothing  compared- 
with  the  dry,  burning  despair  in  those  wild  black  eyes. 
Now  that  Sibyl  had  learned  the  worst,  her  fiery,  tem- 

-  pestuous  fierceness  passed  away,  and  there  fell  a  great 
calm— a  calm  all  the  more  terrific  after  her  late  storm  of 
passion. 

I  -'^  And  so  I  am  forsaken,"  she  said,  in  a  deep,  hollow 
voice,  •*  and  for  her— this  pretty,  blue-eyed  baby.  I,  whom 
he  promised  to  love  through  life  and  beyond  death. 
Saints  in  heaven  1  shall  he  do  this  and  live  ?" 

"  You  ?"  s^id  Christie,  lifting  her  pale,  terrified  face 
"  And  did  he  promise  to  love  you,  too  ?"• 

"  Yes,  learn  it,  and  let  it  whelm  your  soul  in  shame. 
Before  he  saw  you,  before  he  knew  you,  he  loved  me; 
and  I  was  to  be  his  wife.  Yes,  weep,  and  wail,  and  sob ; 
tears  shall  not  »hOB  dry.  You  have  caused  him  ta 
forget  his  vows,  his  honor,  his  plighted  faith,  his  piom- 
i««4  lote  to  me,  and  you  must  pay  the  penalty/^ 


j-^  if. 


'^^^^*^^^ 


* 


TEB   MBETINQ. 

"Oh,   I  never  knew  it— I  never  knew  it  I"    waile 
Christie,  wringing  her  hands. 

"  And;  as  he  has  been  false  to  me,  so',  likewise^  will  h 
be  false  you.    Ypu  are  the  cause  of  his  treachery,  of  hi^ 
broken  vows,  his  perjured  soul ;  you  are  the  cause  of  all 
and,  think  you  such  Ipve  can  be  blessed  ?" 

"Forgive  me  I      Oh,  Sibyl,  forifive  me  !"   still  waile 
Christie.  T  ^' 

"^ay  Heaven  never  forgive  mkii  I  do  !"  cried  Sibyl,' 
with  impassioned  vehemence.  "[Think  you,  girl;  I  am 
one  to  be  won  by  tears  and  protestations?  Faugh  !  ydu 
should  have  thought  of  all  this  Jwhen  you  listened  to 
his  unlawful  love." 

"Oh,  I  did  not  know  !  As  Heaven  hears  me,  1  did 
n$t  know.  I  would  have  died  sooner  than  haae  listened 
to  him,  had  I  known !"  .  Kl  "' 

*'  Prove  it,"  said  Sibyl,  with  a  sudden  gleam  in  he? 
dark  eyes.  <, 

"How— how?      Only  say  how  I   shall    redeem   fl»«?^| 
error!    Let  me  know  how  I  may  atone  !"  .  '" 

"  Atone  !— you  .>"  said  Sibyl,  with  a  withering  sneer. 
"1  tell  you,  girl,  if  your 'life  could  be  prolonged  for  a 
thousand  years,  and  every  second  of  that  time  spent  in 
torture,  ybu  could  not  atone  for  the  wrong  you  have  don©> 
me.  But  make  such  expiationvias  you  can — prove  at 
least  tliat  there  is  some  truth  in  your  words." 

"Oh,  Sibyl,  I  would  willingly  die  if  I  could  redeem 
my  fault."  ,*_ 

"Your  death  would  not  redeem   it.     What  is  your*^ 
paltry  life  to  me  ?    Neither  do  I  require  it— the  sacrifice 


iir 


"Oh!  unything  but  that !    Sibyl,  that  Is  worse  than 
r4eath !"  said  the  sfricken  child-bride,  io  a  faiatiog  voicff 


JkaJImM.fej-LLlJ-' ' 


tM 


^* 


'     -^  ,-  "^  1   .        *       .'  .  '-  -  ,       '•       »-■     **•■-    •       - 


KB'";  - 


give  him  ..p-it  is  my  right,  «»d  I  <1«««'^^":  ..^'^!',; 
^    "Ol.,  I  cattnot  MI  cannot !"  m«»«l  ChnsUe,  Annie 
inir  down,  as  thoo#i»he  would  never  rise  agam. 

5..  Ala  this  tsTO"r  repentanc^-ttais,  toW<«o«emen. 
for  what  you  havedoneT  said  S«)tl.  Weppteg  te^."^ 
XTrding  her  with  saperb  scorn.  "This,.th«.,  .s  tke  end 
rflll  your  fine  promises.  Girl,  I  tell  you,  you  dafe  not ; 
U  Is  it  your  ^ril  you  *  him  aiore.  ^y  ^'1^ 
loteyJrs.  I  waim,  I  insist,  I  demand  y»u  tof «  h,m 
llOsmy  tight,  and  you  shall  do  it.  Wl.»|,|««=yo«, 
HL«ptile,  Itot  you  should^  ^t«d  It.  the  p*th  of  Sibyl 

-'''-f^m  lis^ifel"  arose  to  the  lips  »f  Ch^stie.  |l>at 
little  sentence  she  well-k,.«w  w«ild  l^«  «'fcf«ff  ^l;^'! 
claim  forever,  but  she  remembered  herproJJse  »  t.me, 

trad  was  silftnt.  ,      „     . ,  cjhvl 

"  Rise,  girL  don't  cower  there  at  my  feet,    saidS»b)l, 

'^cppingLack  in- bUtfer  contempt.  -  It  Is  your  place,  it 
t  true  f  but  his  love  ha.  ainoM«dyy^^^ifieeit4.as  raised 
^tothe-..nk  .f  myriv.1.  Am  I  to  Understated  you 
.promise  ;your  Intitnaty  with  him  is  at  an^nd  ? 

.«  Miss  Sibyl,  I  caunot.     I  love  him  !"     A«d  pale  and 

.  tad,  Ghristie  rose  and  stood  1>ef6re  hftr. 

iheblarc,  the  dark,  8C0tdung,^filulrig 'glance  from 

those  eyes  of  fire  might  haVe  killed  her. 
::      «  And  you  dare  utter  this  to  rte  T  sHe  «M«d,^0r  rither 

Miissed,  through  her  tightly  clenched  teeth.    "  A^^J^" 
girl,  do  ymi  toot  fear  that  I  will  .ttnlre  ymi  dw«d  ^here 

.terHfii^^f^inti-g.  she  cWn^  to  a  ,^k  101^ 


^4 


*■  ^'■^^1^ 


J»»  MBETIim. 


■m' 


her  lion-heart  aroused,  the  fierce,  dark  girl  bfeforc  her 
looked  desperate  enough  for  anything. 

"  Promise  !"  she  said,  in  a  hollow  voice,  coming  nearer, 
and  raising  her  arm  threateningly,  / 

"I  cannot!  Oh,  Miss  Sibyl,  I  canubt !"  faltered  tbe 
almost  faititing  Ciiristie.  ^-^ 

"Promise  !"  again  cried  Sibyl, glaring  upon  bir'witlt. 
her  wild,  dark  eyes. 

"I  cannot !"  still  wailed  Christie,  pressing  her  ha^ 
over  lier  heart.       ' 

"Promise,  or  die !"  exclaimed  the  mad  girl,  gni^pin^ 
her  by  the  arm  in  a  vise-like  grip. 

"I  cannot— I  wocrid  sooner  die!"  said  Christie,  as, 
unable  to  stand,  she  again  sank  at  the  feet  of  her  viftdic- 
tive  foe.  S 

For  a  mbmeut  it  seemed  as  though  the  threat  would 
be  accomplished,  as  Sibyl  stood  over  her  like  one  turned 
to  stone.  B«t  the  next  instant  releasing  her  hold,  sh«^ 
hurl90  her  from  her;  and,  as  if  fleeing  from  tempttttlon, 
fled  doWn  the  rocks,  over  the  rough  path  toward  tb« 
lodge,  aud  sank  fainting  and  exhausted  on  the  sitlinc- 
room  floor.  ,  -        ' 

An  hour  later  Aunt  Moll  entered,  and  behold iag  Sibyl 
with  her  srreaming  hair,  lying  prone  on  the  floor,  grew 
alarmed,  and  coming  over,  she  shook  lier  genily,  sayiug  • 

•'  Miss  Sibyl,  is  yer  sick  ?  Come,  gii  up  now.  like  te 
ifood  chile,  'fore  you  catch  your  def  o'  cold,  a  lyin^on  d« 
bare  floor^  'Deed,  honey,  'taint  right  for  young  peck)re  to 
heave  derselves  into  de  draft,  dis  way." 

Bttt^^twtM^>lt^etrt  -through  alt-tfae-yhagtfs  '<if  1^ 

potential    mood— "com mandit»g,    exhorting"— in  *,«u„. 
Her  young  miistreis  neithed  moved  lior«ti»ed.         :i; ;   • 

*1Ndw,  Miff  Sibyl,  do  get  up— please  do.    fit  4ni| 


.^5,i^ 


^■r 


^tM^t^i 


j*A\^^fc.y 


■■^, 


188 


'.A'" 


TEE   MBBTINO. 


L*.  'p 


inows  I's  'fraid  you'll  cotcli  de  rheumatiz  in  yer  .bones. 
Most  oncomfortablest  thing  as  ever  was  ;  "specially  fore  a 
rain  sttorm,  when  ebery  j'int  feels  as  if  dere  was  forty  hun- 
dred cross-cut  saws  a  going  t'rough  it.  Come,  clijle-^ 
come,  git  up,  an'  let  yer  ole  mammy  ondress  you,  an'  put 

yer,  to  "bed."  '  , 

And  Aunt  Holl  shook  the  supposed  sleeper  gently. 

Sibyl  lifted  her  head,  and  half  rose,  discl6sing  a  face 
so  pale  and  haggarjd,  a  form  so  sunken  and  collapsed,  that 
Aunt  Moll  started  back  in  terror.' 

"  What  on  airth'de  matter  in  you,  Miss  Sibyl  ?  I  'clare 
to  man,  if  yer  ain't  almost  skeered  me  out  o'  my  wits,  sure 
'au|f  I    Is  you  sick,  chile." 

"¥es,  #Ck  at  heart !— sick  at  heart  I"  said  Sibyl,  in  a    , 

(        ■*  f\'  •  * 

des(^iring  voice.  f 

« 1  knowed  sumEn' was  de  master  wid  yer.     Well,  git   J 
up  like  a  good  chiie,  and  let  me  git  some  catnip  tea  for  ( 
you,  it's  ihe  best  cure  in  the  world  for  sich  complaihts."    j- 
"  Oh,  Aunt  Moll,  leave  me.    My  illness  is  beyond  yourj 
art     '  Not  poppy  nor  mandragoja  can  ever  medicine  m^ 
to- that  sweet  slifeep  '  I  on>:e  slept  beneath  this  roof.".^       f 
'  •«  Now,  chilfc,  don't  say  so,"  said  Aunt  Moll,  touched 
by  her  hopeless  tone.     "  Folks  ain't  tuk  so  sudden  as  all 
^at,  ypu  khow.     I  ain't  got  no  poppy  nor  man  dragooi^  ; 
but  catnip  tea  is  jes'  as  good,  cordin'  lo  my  way  o'  ihiofk- 
in*.    An'  when  you  take  a  good  night's  res',  you'll  beiill 
well  in  dc  mornin' — please  dc  Lor'."  ( . 

/ .   "Rest !  Rest  1   When  shall  I  rest  again  ?    Aunt  »|oll, 

leave  me.    I  want  to  be  alone."  f 

~^-  "T)6eJ,  Miss  Sibyi,-^da^senl  do  it~^w,w^-4o  to 

le?ib  you  here  in  dc  draf,  all  alontff    Let  me  help  y<iu  to 
bed,  an'  make  de  catnip  tea,  au'  you'll  be^  better  to  mot-' 

torn,  sure."  >     .  '    '  .-      '  '    ir 


I  y 


;*  ^1^ 


'%^^tidM 


THE   tfEBTlirG. 


m 


'^ Oh,  this  heart— this  heart !" 

"Yes  chile,  I  knows;  I  'spects  it's  de  cramps  you'se 
got  an  I  v,ses  of  you  to  get  up.  Come,  honey,  come." 
And  Aunt  Moll  put  her  arm  coaxingly  round  her  youn/? 
lady  s  neck,  and  attempted  to  lift  her  up.  "  ,     ' 

,,r/'^^''"^""'  Moll!  if  you  ouly  knew  my  affl«<^ion  » 
What  matters  it  whether  I  die  oi-  not,  since  I  have  noth^ 
ing  more  to  live  for  ?  I  might  as  well  die  now  as  live- 
for  the  living  death  of  a  loveless  life."  ' 

"  You^nustn't  talk  so, .  Miss  Sibyl;  'taint  right,  nor 
hkeu  ,se  ^pectful  to  de  Lord,  who  sends  us  cramps,  as 
well  as  h^alf,  someticbes.  'Tis  r'ally  'stonishin',  de  way 
you  takes  on  'bout  it"  ' 

.  "  AiiJt  Moll,  I  am  not  boc^ily  ill-only  wronged,  suf- 
fering, despairing,  deceived,  broken-hearted  almost  "said 
Sibyl,  locking  stntight  beforejher,  with  a  fixed  anguished 
look.       I  I  ■  '        .  i 

I  is'-^T  ^^""'^  ^  '^''° '  ^*^^  "^ '°  ''^''"'  ''• '''  '^^^  ^""^^  "^'^ 

And  good  Aunt  Moll  passed  her  hand  gently  and 
caressin/gly.  over  the  glossy,  dark  locks  of  the  younir 
girl.  ^     ^ 

"  Oh  !  there  is  nothing  but  falsehood  and  treachery  it» 
thii  world!  I,  who  loved  and  trusted  sq  much,  to  be 
now  deceived  I  I  would  have  staked  my  life,  toy  soul 
my  hdjjes  of  heaven  on  his  fidelity!  And  n<^  this 
awakenini?  from  my  blissful,  delusive  dream  is  4orse 
than  death.  Qli,  Aunt  Moll !.  my  dear  old  friend,  is  there 
any  one  who  really  loves  me  in  this  world  but  you  ?" 

-—-.Ajuii  whoUy^^v«*tiom^  Sibyt^s  stroDg^espai?  givewly" 
to  a  pi^ssionatq  burst  of  tears. 

;     Since  Sibyl  bad  been  achild,  Aunt  MoU  never  .emem- 
ftcred.to  have  teen  her  woep  before;  and  now,  io  her ^ 


;il 


m 


ttmi  'us^f^.^ 


ouaint:  tender  manner,  she  strove  to  «oothe  ^^ 

.     It^' ^lUHe  y.«r»g  girl  wept  .nd  sobbed  With  w,ld  ..he- 

meooe,  until   nature  was  relieved ;  and  she  looked  up, 

caltner  dnd  far  less  despairing  than  before.  _ 

S       "  Aunt  Moll,"  she  said,  suddenly.  ••  what  tiraedoes  Lem 

"'^  over  td  Westport  to-morrow  r 

K;       *•  Before  noon,  honey."  w.f„r/. 

^^  -  then  tell  him  to  be  ready  to  take  me  to  N-—  b<^re 
he  goes  fbr  Ami  ,  And  now,  Aunt  Moll,  I  will  follow 
■frotfr  advtifee,  and  retire."  , 

?^-Bi,twb6tt  you  teethe  catnip  tea.  chile  ?"  persisted 
the  bid  womaft,  who  had  'some  vague  idea  of  the  all- 
powerful  virtues  of  the  herb.         .  „ 

"  No.  no,  thank  you,  I  do  not  need  it.        , 
:.  But  it'H^you^ood,  chile  ;  you'U  feel  more  comfort- 

^^domflrt  I  cSmfort !    Can  anything  ever  restore  com- 
mtU^r    And  she^truckter  breast  with  her  l»and. 

fl*a^  •«!>  the  long  ^»irc«.,  -nd  ai»pp««d  »  «1« 
gloom  beyond. 

^[y-         '"  "'  ■.■■■.. 

t  "i  '  '.1 


s*e 


V 


-v?* 


mi£amm 


OHAPTER  XIV. 


^^i/-** 


.«K 


■  '  '-^J^t4 


.*• 


7-:*' Trifles,  light  a»alr. 
Are  to  th9 jealous  confirmation  stronir 


As  proofs  of  holy  writ." 


Othello 


THE^next  mormng,  Sibyl  made  her  app^aoc*  ia^ 
the    sittiag-room,    pale,   wao,  and-   haggard,    a^ 
though  she  had  spent  a  sleepless  night.    But  sh« 
appeared  ealm.     Whatever  course  she  had  determined  to 
pursue,  seemed. fttUy  settled,  a,nd  now  she  was  calm  ;.  but 
It  was  like  the  cftlmiHJSs  of  a  steeping  volcano,  from  whic^' 
fire  and  ftame,  hurf^llng^  destructioir  on  all.  might  at  aftv 
momeftt  burst  forth.  o  ^ 

Aaswering  g?ravely  all  Aunt  Moll's  anxious  inquirfesi 
after  hey  health,  she  seated  herself  at  the  breakfast-table, 
but  touched  nothing,  save  a  cup  of  hot  coffee,  Aad,  after 
this  slight  refFcshment,  she  put  on  her  hat  and  raantlft 
^  descended  to  the  beach,  where  Lem,  with  the  boat, 
was  already  awaiting^  hei^  comings 

«eatingi  hefsetf,  she^  wrapped  her  mantle  closely 
abound  her^  and  fixing  her  eyes  steadily  om  thedaacm*^ 
waves,  the  journey  was  performed  in  stem  silence.  Two 
hourji  brought  them  to.  N-.^,  aud*  leaving  her  there,  Lem 
861  out  for  Weslport  to  me^t  Drummond.  Arrived  there, 
he  found  that  yoimggfcotleman,ac6ompaoted  by  Captaw 
Campb^l  and  a  <torid,  bjild»headed.  old  man,  yh^  pmwM* 
"^  be  tV  iui^^eojiK  .        .  ,     4.  ■  ^ 

On  their  way,  Wlllard  Explained  to  them  how  the 


^^ 


•m  »    " 


^<-w&m\ 


\^    '  V' 


■  ■-)      '  JBALQffBT. 

-reck  And  when  they  reached  the  island,  Captain 
cI^Dbell  unconscious  that  his  sister  was  gone,  hastened 
foThe  tolige,  while  Wlllard  accompanied  the  surgeon  to 

*'rry  en^-d^'ctutie,  who  in  spite  of  her  hidden 
griel  ^ts'butiiy  eWioyed  as  usnai.  looked  i^suly  up, 
•nd  turned,  if  possibie,  a  shade  paler  than  before 

Mr»  Courtney  sat  listlessly  turning  over  the  leaves  of 
.    "vel,  with  a  boled  look  on  her  pretty  face;   whUe 
oD^Iue    her,   supported    by    pillows,   on    Mrs.    Toms 
woodersofa,  lay  her  wounded  husband,  whose  eyes  never 
lor  a  moment„wandered  from  her  face 
■'He  was  a  man  of  thirty,  at  least,  and  would  have  been 
handsome  but  for  l,is  ghastly  ?="'- -"^ -»^*;"  ^^ 
ouerulous,  suspicious  expression    his   face   wore.      Hts 
Sexi-n,  nlrally  dark,  had  '"-ded  to  a  sickly  yellow 
looking  almost  while  in  contrast  with  his  black  hair  and 
tWck   black    whiskers   and   mustacl^e.     But   it  was  the 
exwession  of  his  face  that  was  particularly  unprej>ossess. 
tn^in°e  thin,  compressed  lips,  and  "a"'.'"'. -»-g 
g=-«v«  Tou  could  read  suspicion,  distrust,.and  doubt    Two 
^  SgrwouTd  Aave  struck  you  instantly,  had  you  seen 
hm  sitting  there-ohe,  was  his  passionate  love  lor  his 
ti7e-  theUer,  a  slumbering  are  of  jealou^.  that  -he 
faintUt  breath   might  h,ye  fanned  into  a   never-dying 

■^  They  formed  a  striking  contrast  a.  ^^'r^^^^ 

Ae  so  pretty,  careless,  saucy,  and    "><liS««>.t .  he  «. 

^i^d  with  illness,  and  with  "■" '"""'^'•, "^  °f : 

'iSk  on  his  face.    And  yet,  tt  tadbeo-^Move-maUh^^ 

he   loved   her  to  idolatry,   and    she,   rejecting  perhaps 

V^Z  suitor,,  at  the  age  of  sixteen  had  - -^j^.  ,. 

Khaol  aod  eloped  with  Edgar  Courtney,    WiUard  l>r»o, 

■    ■         ''■■:■■.■■■:  _  w 


V 


jjBAzausr. 


\ 


-> '  «■- 


'  ^h\ 


-if- 


ftoSd  had  been  ambng  the  rejected  ones.  Before  the 
honeymoon  was  over,  the  wild  girl  had  found  she  bad 
raarriedaiealous,exactin2f  tyrant,  Who  hated  every  man 
on  whom  she  smiled,  and  would  have  kept  her  locked  up^ 
where  no  eye  hut  his  own  could  ever  rest  upon  her  had/ 
he  dared.    .  "  -  J 

At  first  little  Laura  submitted  to  his  caprices,  because 
she  loved  him,  or  thought  she  did  ;  but  as  he  grew  more 
and  more  exaqiing,  this  love  died  wholly  away,  and  the 
little  bride  awoke  one  morniffg  in  disUiay  to  find  she  had 
made  a  life-long  mistake.  Still,  she  was  too  good  and 
generous  to  strive  to  lay  the  blaipe  on  him  for  taking 
advantage  of  her  youth  and  romantic  impulse  to  fly  with 
him,  and  would  have  laughed  and  danced  on  as^crrfly  ' 
as  ever  with  him  through  life,  without  letting  him  know  '' 
it,  had  not  his  own  conduct  brought  on  the  denouement. 

He    continued    to    be    tyrannical.     Laura    naturally 
proud  and  high-spirited,  grew  at  length  very  tired  of  his 
,absurd  fancies  and  wishes,  and   vowed  she  would  no 
longer    be   a    "  meek,  ^submissive    wife."    But,  though-^  -1 
inwardly  c^spising  him  herself,  she  would  allow  no  one         ' 
else  to  speak  slightingly  of  him,  as  her  first  interview 
wuh  Willard  Drummond  proved.     And  all  the  previous 
night  she  had  hovered  over  his  bedside,  anticipating  his 
every  want  with  the  most  tender  and  vigilant  care ;  and 
it  was  only  when,  the  next  morning^he  found  himself 
able  to  get  up,  that  she  had  resumed  her  accustomed  air 
of  careless  indiflference  to  himself  and  his  wishes.    Had 
he  been  more  generous  and  less  suspicious— had  he  had 
Mlh  ij  b's  joHPg  - w^  she^would  4iave  loved^^Hw^aad 
been  hfs  aloiie ;  but  had  ha-really  wished  to  make  her^ 
hate  him,  he  could  not  have  taken  a  surer  plan  to  bring 
|boutsuch  a  result  than  the^Qnehe  did.        "^ 

V 


\ 


Ktame  may  not  be  thrown  upon  the  shoulders  oJ  the  poor 
Sr^g^Abride  (or  her  reckless  conduct  a.d.the  awful 

•^^^Wmlrd^he  doctor  entered.  ChrUtie.  who 
"tad  at^iousl,  waited  for  <»- opportunity  see.^  Mrs. 
^  Tom  busily  eogaged.  touched  her  husljand  on  the  arm, 

11l  »hi.i>erinB  "  Follow  roe,"  left  the  house. 

•"*He  uXesiriliAgly  obeyed,  and  o'e-o^  h-,e.r  'ho 
.   end  of  tl.e  garden,  where,  pale  and  troubled,  she  stood. 

■  """'w^ercWstirwhat  is  it?"  he  asked,  in  surprise. 

..  wtliard;-  sh«  said,  lifting  her  reproachful  eyes  to  h„ 
'  Jace,  "Sibyl  Caiapbell  was  here  last  night . 

V  Well '"  he  said;  starting  and  coloring  deeply. 
-  -•:  *^  WilUrd !  slU  told  me  all-how  you  1-d  d««'f 
; .  .fc„;  "„d  deceived  .ne-     Oh,  Willard  !  how  could  you  do 

':'  "  HDeceivedherJ-deoeivedyou?    1  do  no.  understand. 

.4. ^*tr ,  yi  you  deceivedher,  ^^;'^-^ 
':  Well,  a  moment  ago,  y«n  said  1  *«»ved  you 

"^.^r^  me  your  wife  while  pledg^o  another j;; 
.*  WUcK  doubtless,  causes  you  a  great  deal  o  sorrow 

k,  »W  «ne  of  slight  pi,ue  ;  for  'h«»gh^»  P^  °,^ 
to^istiewas  d^iug  ™»y.  he  could  «..  endure  the 
"^11^7  as  vet.  of  hetToigetttnjs  hiiB,  .u._~.. 

Ml  l^ine«on««h  ftw»«!  ^"  ".^S'S.^  ul 


t^^ms^^sm^L 


^^^iP 


JBALOVBY. 


<»uld  have  died  for  very  shame  to  think  I  had  been  the 
cause  of  her  misery !"  '  *°* 

f  Jfl'"ushlf  °  '"  "*■"  •'^^P-'-S- ■  he  said,  whUe  hi. 

.«l?kIm„';LT."  '""""•  """■•  '""""^"^    ^^ 

.he'k°il  a!Z^"°  •'    '  "^  ■""  '="°''  '«"'  »"«  ''«'«1  "  i  bat 

"VVhat!  our   marriage,  and  all?"  he  cried    starting 

"'•' No^'^he  ;^  '"  "  r^  "-^'  ««'<'»  Christie  tanCf 
No ;  she  did  not  know  that.     Bat " 

eniogT;."  ^'^  ''^^  ^"•''  '"  '^"  ^^' '"  *»«  said,  almost  threat- 

WiiL?^/  7!;^7*"  ^°"  'P*^''  '^  »"«  »»  'hat  tone^  dearert 
W.  ard  ?    I  d,d  not  mean  to  reproach  you." 

^  It  IS  very  like  it.  however,"  he  said  bitterly. 
But  may  I  not  tell  her,  Willard  ?    She  wanted  me  to 

i^a  such  another  ilTe'rvfe':  ^iT^^  TT^^ 
|««MUj^e  would  desi,..  Oh.  WiUar^.  d«,e..  I  ^ 
W-K  ""^r-or  may  I  Bot  tell  her  ^■ 

I       Wot  for  the  world-not  for  ten  thousand  woild.  I 
^  you  ruin  me,  Christie  r  h.  exclain,:^  ]^^ 

"Riiin  you  Willard  rd«.  said,  faintly.  ■' 

Im^ll'^  T  P'?r "^  I  °»*°-    My-^h.  it»  thin, 

A«l  W.11  keep.«h^  p^  wfc,  U„  p^^7^, 


f 


■jr    ^      ^< 


-  M 


M 


-TT' 


JEALOUSY. 


446 

Z^  ::p?n«  a.ng  tea.  a„..uove;^  sa.  .„ 

:«  calm  voice  :  ^  i„„„?    Willard,  tWs  secrecy  is 

:     ,  "Waitl    Bui,  for  how  '°»8  '  J'""  ;^„  like  lead  !' 

a^dful!  tbis  deception  we.sh   on  my^^  ^^^^  , 

,.,  do  not  k"°"  •.."=""""' „h„,  may  safely  avow 
«.id.  when  .he/«/.r  Unu  co-e  ;  w^.^"  ^  » J  .elfish^yo" 
U.MI  shall  be  revealed     Chr,st,e  ^^^^^^    ,,  , 

have   no  C""""*'"^"""  ."'  p!  Jobell  you  should  be  «he 
loved  you  better  than  M.ss  Campbeuy  _^^^^ 

W  one  to  -P-««'',  "^X'uh  thit  love  altogether." 
,ucb  scenes  as  th.s  d°  ?"' '"^"'^  \^^  ^„idness  of  death  to 
His  deeply  of  "^^^  "^  t:llA  not  meant  to  anger 

rrsr  rerTbrf^e"  th  her  Hands  and  wept 
alo'i'^-  \        ..  , -_  tears.    All  the  6ld  ten- 

orrieved  and  in  the  wrong.    Look  up^  ^  ,  : - 

fho'liae  eyes  and  say  you  for^ve  -    ^^  ^^ 
Brfnre  she  could  ■^eP^/,^°°^ "P '^„„  ,hin,  onr  l.K>k  o<j 


..  ^S^^:^  - -- ^"  ^^ 


came  jn  view. 


JSAL0U8T, 

n«H3t'\°?°'"^°f  ^j  ""^^  '^^*  ''^^  ^°^'<>'  ^bout  your 
patient  ?"  he  demanded,  as  he  came  up;  , 

^  "I  have  not  seen  him  since  he  went  in.    But  here  ho' 
c<^mes,  to  answer  for  himsejf." 
/At  this  moment  the  doctor  made  Jns  appearance,  and 
Wfllard  propotmded  the  inquiry.         ^  ' 

"Oh,  it's  nothing  serious,  sir!     He'\  be  better  in  » 
toytWp"'"''  *'r'°^'°'-     "Meaitime,  howam  l' 

"My  servant  is  down  on  the  shore,  waiting  to  take  you 
pver,"  said  Captain  Campbeli  t^^eyou 

"  J''*  '-^^'^d  yo"  down  doctor,"  said  Willard,  taking 
the  old  gentleman's  arm.  **|» 

«,iii'lf  ""^  r  '  ?**"  ^^^'  undisputed,  here,  I  supposed 
ject,    said  Captain  Campbell,  approaching  the  cottage 

On  entering,  he  was  presented  by  Mrs.  Ton,  to  her 
guests.  .  .  *  , 

Equally  surprised  and  pleased  to  find  so  pretty  and 
piquant  a  little  lady  in  Uri  Courtney,  the  young  clUin 

^  ^"'Jrf'  ^^'■'  "°'  «-'-ed.  fgrthJith,  fnt^n' 
yer^tion.   Mr.  Courtney  scowled  at  the  handsome  young 

^aZ  T  n    "'  ""''  •''*"''  "y"^^°^^'  b"'  said  nothing^ 
And  Mrs.  Courtney,  mutually  delighted  by  the  agret 
able  and  gentlemanly  newcomer,  flung  aside  her  novel 
forgot  her  .«««,,  and  laughed  and  chatted  with  a  volubiK 
ity  that  amazed  and  delighted  herdbmpanron,  who  imme^ 

dirin'  TH'V'^^^'^  "^  wit,  words,  aid  rep^^ 
during  which  the  time  sped  rapidly  away. 


Mrs^ 


om  was 


thc-oaly^ 


1  rapi( 
uuciit 


:-t^ 


'  %M 


'4.1 


,^l''l 


:or,  however,  wr»o  seamed" 


•n  ♦!,»  1     .^       .        — -^     ""■""*»  ""'•ever,  wno  seemed 

«.lt  T  r  7°^  1*""  ™"'  »^"«»'  "»*  "«"P.  wit" 
retoris ;  for  (^arl,  vader  the  unfailing  eye  of  his  aunt  wm 
poanipg  la  spirit  „  h,  «,t  p,^,y„=  ^  »«''«^, 


# 


..It'. 


•  I  \^i^*hMk  broutfht  ereal  drops  of  per«plfa»!on  to 
*Baei|««yt1wk  «>«>"«"*  er*  i^  ventured' to  look  up,  a 
his  brow,  hearing,  iivery  time  he  J^***^"'^  ^^ 

Ueine.  and  assist,  in  every  way  I  can,  to  make 

mar  stay  pass  as  pleasantly  as  possible. 

'^    if  Courtney's  midnight  brows  grew  black  a.  .  ton- 

deS!  and  blacker,  if  possible,  as  h.s  w.£.  gayly 

"•''.iTteBk  you.  sir.  Nothing  could  give  me  more  pleas- 
„„  ;^S^^m'or;ow.  I  shall,  with  your  permiss.on,  take  an 
ia»«nwry'of  your  onchautiog  isle.  k  „^  h*.tween 

"  Shall  you,  madam  ?"  muttered  her  husband,  between 
fak  teetlJ,    "  We  shall  see  about  that  4 
'^J:?!  rest  o.  the  -nin^^f^^tTrrwS" 

to'te  inLr  room  which  Mrs-Jom  had  va«t^  to  tbe.r 

„,!  b«  took  be»  to  task  in  the  {ollow.n«  manner 

'^«  P„y.  madam,  may  I  ask  what  business  you  had.  g.v 

fng  (fiat  fellow  any  such  P"""^  "  J:;"" '^.,  „«„„dles. 


y 


Ih 


■       Now  Mrs.  Courtaey  ^^  ^^'^ .°"  "fT^ ' ,    ^^^cc^iivf 
It,  too.  aii4  wouder  at  it.    Therof ore,  l«eiw>«  J«w>  -^  '^ 


^-^c^ . 
lA 


ri4 


^"iS!*ff 


f  BeeanSft,  rff,  ft  #aw  my  goo4  pl«ascir6  ta  ^b  ^  ^ 
"Indeed!"  and  the  dark   brow  foreboded  ft  itofiifc 
"itideed,  Mrs.  Coartney  !    And  is  it  yow  iotcniiott  to  e& 
roaming  w«h  this  fellow,  alone,  through  the  ishm4  tV 
morrow  ?" , 

"Most  assuredly,  Mr.  Courtney,  Hot«r  ast^ishinelv 
clever  yoa  arc  at  guessing  T'  ' 

"Madam,  yoiii  shall  not  go." 

'%,  I  shall  go!"  said  the  lady,  imitati»g  his  ton  J 
exactly,    o 

"  Have  you  no  respect  for  yourself,  madam— none  for 
tae,  your  husband  }"  ., 

"  Not  the  least,  sir." 

"It  will  beat  yoar. peril  if  yon  go." 

"  No,  it  «7on't— it'll  be  at  my  pleasure." 

"  Silence,  madam  !"  he  thundered,  grinding  fais  teeth" 
with  rage.  •«  Do  not^re  to  he  iiapertineiit,  or  yoa  wilj 
repent  it.  ^ 

"Mr.  Courtney,  allow  me  to  observe,  th*  inmates  e* 
this  bouse  are  trying  to  feleep.  How  they  will  succeed,  tf 
you  go  on  in  that  manner,  is  a  question  easily  answered*** 
said  Mrs.  Courtiteyi  sitting  down,  with  a  most  pro^okiint 
coolness,  and  beginning:  to  unbutton  h«r  boots. 

"Mrs.  Courtney,  I comvnand  you  not  to  go  witb  this 
man,  to^n|oitoiir."  .    "^ 

"  Mr.  Coartney,  you  may  comtnand  tin  yo*^a«  blnek 
in  thfrface;  but  I've  promised,  mm!  I'll  go  I"  said  hife 
rebellious  tpoussi 

He  hail  st^ng  np  fi-ote  the  bed  in  #Iiioh  Ik  was  Mm: 

eyes  fcUrly  scinUlJ-*-' '-^ l^^L 


'A. 


X 


4% 


^r^S^ 


'Would  you  dare  disgrace  m*  in  dus  wmyf"  h^mi^ 
in  a  v^ce  hoar$e  with  passion.  ,     ^ 

"Disgracdyou?    .Oi^nwcfc  a  fiWJesticlO^^i yoa 


40» 


JSALOVSt. 


Il^sttig  allUhe  little  sense  you  ever  had,  Mr.  Courtney  r  , 
?iaid  his  wife,  now  really  indignant.  ,.  v. 

^J^  ^     **  Are  jJou  really  smitten  with— do  you  love  this  man  ? 
iihe  asked,  L  a  hoarse,  fierce  whisper,  keeping  his  gleam- 
ine.  black  fcyes  still  tod  on  her  face. 

For  a  itiomfent  i  flash  of  intense  anger  shot  f  rom^  the 
eyes  of  Mk  Couifney  ;   then,  as  if  the  absurdity  of  the 
question  dvercanie  fevery  other  feeling,  she  thre-v  hersel 
back  in  ipr  chair,  and   broke  out  in  a  hearty  peal  of 

j 

i-^*"m'aciion  might  have  dispelled  his  absurd  doubts^ 

>*ut,  as  nothing  can  convince  jealous  souls,  he  even  looked 

upon  this,L  another  proof  of  her  guilt,  and,  raising  him- 

self  upinjhis  bed,  he  grasped  her  arm,  while  again,  he 

hissed:      j 

" JDo  you  love  him  ?"  ; 

'-   "Mr    (fcourtney,  don't  bother  me!"   said  his  polite 
spouse,  indignantly  shaking  off  his    hand;    and  don't 
make  a  greater  simpleton  of  yourself  than  nature  made 
voti     Lovie  him  indeed  I    I've   had  enough  of  love  for 
one  while,!  I  can  tell  you.    I  found  it  dose  enough  the 
last  time  i  was  fool  enough  to  try  it,  and  now  that  Ive 
cot  nicely' over  it,  nobody'll  catch  me  at  it  again. 
S^  This  was  a  most  unfortunate  speech,  for  Courtney  s 
^ar,  day  ind  night,  was,  lest  his  wife  should  ff^^oloxe 
bim.    Hcjclpsed  his  teeth  with  a  snap,  and  fell  bask  on 
his-pUlowi  with  a  sepulchral  moan. 

There!  was  a  pause,  during  which  Mrs.  Courtney  lei- 
BU^ly  cobbed  out  her  curls,  and  Mn  Courtney  lay  wuh 

•  ^^   t ^ji  oiiH  deep  labored  brfiatping^    "t  iePSSHf„''!L. 

turned  o\^r,  and  said  huskily  : 

*Lauilar  H 


4 


'^WW^^W^^^ 


WS'^PH 


i^^*^^^^i^'F?r'^^^'^'I^^'?^j"T*5'*^**"'"^ 


■^Mir^    y      ■'  ■^^'^ji^'V^I 


"Well?"  said  Laura,  going  on  with  her  combing  an* 
brushing..  <  •  \. 

,        "  You  won't  go  out  to-morfow  ?"  ,  '■     . 

"  Won't  I  ?    That's  all  you  know  about  it,  then." 
'  yt's  my  Wish  you  should  stay."  .^^ 

^AjiJlt's  my  wish  to  go."  / 

J^Hk)  you  wUl  go  ?"  1^ 

^■Cst  decidedly.     And  now,  Mr.  Courtney,  hoWyour 
tongue,  for  I'm  going  to  sleep. "- 

•  He  clenched  his  teeth  with  impotent  rage,  and  hi» 
jealous  soul  shone  forth  hideously  from  his  glittering 
eyes.  And,  angry  and  indignant,  Mrs.  Courtney  went  to 
sleep,  muttering  : 

"L  vow  to  Cupid,  you  shall  have  some  cause  for  jeal- 
ousy, my  wise  lord  and  master.     Pity  to  have  you  jealous 
for  nothing ;    so,  handsome  Captain   ~ 
for  I  mean  to  flirt  like  fury  !" 


-  J.' 


Campbell,  look  oul^< 


'"sF 


CHAPTER  XV. 

SELF-TORTURE.  -,    '"'' 

\  Doth  work  like  madness  on  the  brain." 

COLEIUDGB. 

THAT  night  of  deepest  woe  to  the  passionate  heart 
of  Sibyl  had  been  spent  in  pacing  up  and  down 


-tnrtnfrnearprium  who  had  deceived  her,  and  on  'this 
,puny  girl  for  whose  sake  she  had  been  thrown  aside- 
then  in  breathing  wild,  passioaato  vows  of  vengeance  for 


:;  \ 


:  -^WM 

the  w^nfc  tb€  deep  humiliation  that  had/teen  done^fer, 
and  anon,  throwing  herself  upon,  the  floo^  in  a  convulsive 
fit  of  weeping.    Then  another  mood  would  come,  wheh.        , 
8he  wotild  forget  all  but  the  blissful  d^s  of  the  past,  and  i  I  \ 
\X\  her  despised  lov^  an^  tenderness  v^ould  flood  back  to 
her  soul,  and  her  very  heart  would  cry  out  to  be  with  him 
again     And  then  would  come  the  thought  that  this  could 
acveri  never  be  again,  and  she  would  spring  up  with  blaz- 
ing  eyes,  her  very  tears  seemingly  turned  to  sparks  of 

-'■fire.  -  .  \ 

And,  mingled  with  all  these  stormy  passions  was  an 

^nnderiurrent  of  deepest  shame,  of  bitter  humiliation,  of^ 

'  wouncUd  self-love  and  humble4  pride.     That  she,  the 

descendant  of  a  haugjity  Highland  clan,  the  daughter  of 

a  princely  race,   should   be  forgotten    for  one  so  far 

.  beneath  her  in  every  way,  was  a  disgrace  that  sent  the 

P  blood  tingling  to  her  pale  cheeks,  and  made  her  clench 

her  hands  in  impotent  despair.  -- 

So  passed  the  night. 

With  morning  camea  calmer  mood.    The  necessity  of 

adopting  some  li«e  of  conduct  that  would  bring  matters 
to  a  speedy  denouement  soothed  for  the  time  her  frenzied 
brain,  l^o  one  must  know  as-yet  of  her  desertion.  She 
fclt-as  though  she  could  die  sooner  than  survive  the  shame 
of  such  a  discovery.  Neither  could  she  stay  on  the  island. 
Her  time  for  meeting  hor  betrayer  had  not  come  ;  but  it 

was  at  hand,  and  then * 

■  The  flame  that  leaped  like  forked  lightning  from  her 
black  eyes,  the  deep  smile  that  curled  her  lips,  bettei  than 

words*  spoke  the  rfest.  .       ,        ,     .        *i 

Leaning  her  head  on  her  hand,  she  thought  intently. 
She  wtmld  rgllir"  to  the  parsonage,  and  remain  there 
^^1  \M  Itt^ire  «>«»»«  w*»  ^id«d  upon.    She  «o»iI« 


f^ 


f»My  ^g*  «,*,  plM^Ut  pretext  far  leavjw  tte  JidM.d 
jmd  good  Mrs   B«„t„n  .^  k.«„,  ^^^^^^ J^,"^  , 
faappr  ^  Iwye  her.  «>•  "«-;wk  to»,; 

And,  in  pursudnce  of  this  resolution,  sbe  Jm.  t^ 
the  following  tnorfting  |»elc  to  N-^  "^  ««  "•«  e»rly 

Mrs.  Bmntwell, «  Sibyl  ..tidp,t«l,  met  her  ,riai  .' f 
joyfrf  w*pO^  .„<,  „„^„„^  h^res;i«ionTf  ^nt  "I 
^ny  a  few  evenings  .fter  in  her  welcome.  Sib^  \T^$ 
jraen  state  «r  mind,  would  ha™  shmnk  from  aSi^tiS^ 
In  public ;  but  »  she  could  not  do  so  with^t  o^^ 
and  .„n«n,ing  her  hostess,  and  perhaj*,  a^uTng^^tS' 
ptcions,  she  made  no  reastance  to<h«  pwi    ""«  T^  »^ 

-come  out.    Next  winter  you.muat  go  4  New  ¥i.rk  *nd 

n«.dtl,e.g.y  «««>,.  ther-,  .o,,  of  ^^^Tu^r^'iS 

CO  young  to  think  of  l«ibg  man-ied^Tdo  not  Sllw^ 

twenty.  So,ioydeBr,justpplitelyinfirftiMr  Drummi-J 
that  he  must  wait  your  Iadyship-/«J™^;^:*??^ 
rf  he  rebels,  as  of  course  he  wil^  girlhi^l^^^^^ 

as  you  please.    Men  need  to  be  pat  iown,  vwi  kn,™!  r^ 

tb^.       Aed  M^  B«.tweU   ,^^(^t«r  jolly  Bu^ ' 

.f  ^C":*^""'  '"*^«°<=i^  «he..*M.,.p.a^   . 


«  a  li^jr  ud  iSlemeo  who  wi»™T<rf  tom^^'Swt 


* 


i      ♦!< 


'  BBLF'fOSTVBB. 


Sjind  we  stopping  at  that  cottage,  and  I  ^sh  to  invite  them 
|4»re  to-ma^Towr  So  go  and  get  ready."        ^  ^ 

t     >  Mrs.  Brantwell,  excuse  me,  I  would  rather  not  go, 
^said  Si^yl,  still  keeping  her  face  averted. 

"  Not- go  I     What  now,  Mistress  Sibyl  ?    This  is  ccr- ^ 
tatnly  sdtoething  new,"  said  the  astonished  old  lady.       ^^ 
« I  have  a— headache,  and  would  prefer  lying  down, 
said  Sibyl,  without  turning  round.  ,  ,,  ^1 

«  Oh,  in  that  case  I  suppose  I  must  go  alone.  I'll  send 
Betty  up  with  some  vihegar  to  bathe  your  head  before  I 
go,"  said  the  unsuspecting  lady  of  the  ms^n?ion,  as  she  left 
the  room  to  dress  for  her  journey.  't 

Captain  Campbell,  who  was  waiting  fpr  her  on  the 
shore,  accompanied  her  to  Mrs.  Ttoto?s  and  jsresented  her 
to  pretty  little  Mrs.  Courtney,  wh^^^ook  captive,  almost 
instantly,  the  good  lady's  heart  as  s"he  did  t^t  of  most 
Other  people,  and  promptly  Accepted  the  invitation,  to  the 
manifest  annoyance  of  her  husband.  *  " 

Mr.  Courtney,  though  still  quite  weak  and  ailing, 
resolved  also  upon  going,  to  watch  his  wife,  under  the 
conviqtion  that  her  sole  intent  and  purpose  in  going  was 
to  meet  Captain  Cartpbell. 

And  WillArd  prummond,  who  was  present,  likewise 
received  aiid  accepted  her  invitation..    What  his  motive 
<  in  going  could  be,  knowing  Sibyl  would  be  there,  it 
,  %puld  be  liaid  to  divine.  ^ 

.     The  evening  foT  the  party  came  ;  and  at  an  earty  hour 

I'  the  drawing-roota  of  the  parsonage  was  all  ablaze  with 

'   lights.    Cafriage  after  carriage  rolled  up  to  the  door,  and 

.    bevy  ;fter  bevy  of  fair  ladies,  elegantly  dressed,  flocked 

lik*  oright-plumaged  birds,  through  the  brilliant  rooms, 

f^4  CTrriffrf  OP  ffl^y  flirtatioaa  with  their  friends  in  broad- 


ir  ^  ..  .  ^ 


.  JS{^W. 


SBLF^TOBTJ^RBi 


^*^'* 


inr 

Mrs.  Bmntwell,  ma^hiflcent  in  black  velvlt.  stood  near 
the  door  to  receive  her  guests.  But  eyery  eye  was  fixeJ 
wondermgly,  admiringly  on  Sibyl,  who  mo/ed  ^h  tht 
step  of  an  impress  through  the  throng.  /  V  ij 

Surpassingly   beautiful    she  looked,   with  her  cri^T 
shmingcurls  of  jet.  shading,  on  either  side  the^niS"  , 

crimson  cheeks^her  splendid  Syrian  eyes  emitiinffT^M^^ 
streaming  light,  the  rich  dark  robe  of^heeney'sfti^tr  ' 

H^  v..    K,  ^^^  ^^^  '^^  '^""^  «^  fever-the  gJow  on  W 

fe^ktheblazeof  excitement,  forthehourshfhrdwait^ 

/     for  was  com^,  and    Willard  Drummond    wpuld^^l 

arraigned  before  her  that  night.  •  ^^^  - 

•        .h.T''  ^°"^°«y'   ^"S^ht'  piquant,  bewitching;  divided^ 
the  honors  and  admiration  of  the  evening  wi  h  SttS^  ' 

fering  th^  tortures  of  a  mind  deceased,  moved  like  a 
'       specter,  silent,  gloomy,  and  watchful,  tlifough  the  merr^ 
throng    And  Captain  Campbell,  elated,  hf^^e/^ 
courteous,  was  there  too.  the  recipient  of  man/^ewitoh 
ing  glance  from  the  bright  eyes  pre^nt.  *  ''«^"<^h- 

k     \,.   Tlic  company  were  all  assembled,  chattimr  laurfiino^ 
^ntmg,  aliln^t  oni.    Sifiyl   stood,  in  the  Si  of         ^* 
^    group,  the  <'  bright  p.rtic'ul.r  star  "V ^  ^^t  ng  1^:1 
^  ing  on  a  spirited  conversation,  but  ever  a^d  anon  h« 
ey^s  would  wander  to  the  door  with  filr^  •  f     ^ 

Why  did  he  not  come  ?  ^"""^  ^mp^dence  . 


remiia  with  him  ;  and  t^r^  C^""!  Tf^"^ 
ui,  ana  ^'"^^^r  oe  refused,  thinking^ 


SJBI^-TOSTUIUS. 


\ 


^^    ■  /'  ,  -,,  .  •»,- 

with  Strang^  self-torture^  some  evil  design  lay  beneath. 
He  would  come— iie  wpuld  watch  hef ;  and  Mrs.  Court- 
ney's high  spirit  arose,  a^d  she  proudly  and  angrily 
resolved  to  act  just  as  she  pleased,  and  flirt  just  as  desper- 
ately as  she  could.  She  had  told  him  she  did  not  love 
him— she  had  gone  in  defiance  of  his  express  command, 
in  company  with  Captain  Campbell,  walking  tlirough  the 
island;  and  from  this  slight  foundation,  Mr.  Courtney 
fudged  his  wife  had  fallen  in  love  with  Captain  Camp- 
bell.   Where  his  wif^  was  concerned  the  man  was  a 

Monomaniac. 

And  now%e  saw  them  before  him,  she  leaning  on  his 
%xta;  her  head  bent,  as  with  downcast  eyes  and  smiling 
lips  she  listened  to  his  low  words.     He  gnashed  his  teeth,  i 
^nd  glared  upon  them  like  a  madman.    At  that  moment 
his  face  was  like  that  of  a  demon. 

There  was  no  dancing.  Mr.  Brantwell  was  a  clergy- 
man, and  did  not  approve^  it ;  but  there  was  music,  and 
^  if  to  e?ccite  his  jealous'soul  to  madness,  Captain  Camp- 
bell led  Laura  to  the  Jjiano,  and  hung  over  her,  wliile  she 
glancted  slyly  at  him  from  under  her  long  laslies,  and  sang 
"Oh,  had  we  some  bright  little  isle  of  our  oVn,"  as 
"  iiioUkh  eVfery  wbrd  Was  meant  for  him  alone. 

Loud  and  long  was  the  applause  which  followed. 
And  the^  Captain  Campbell  led  her  to  a  seat,  and  took 
ahother    beside    her,  and    this    low    conversation    was  ' 

Full  wi^h  jealous  rage,  the  self-tortured  Courtney 
watched  th6m,  until,  at  the  end  of  an  hour  or  so,  he  saw 
CaptJiin  Campbell  rise  and  leave  her  aloneJfor  a  moment, 
tthferi,  g6ing  over,  and  seeing  all  were  too  much  engage^ 
t)V  tome  Che  who  was  singing,  to  notice  him,  he  grasped 
^T^SSSS^ftift^  "^»  sagrih Jr«mr4ioarfio  whisi>ot4 


<'-\ 


m^.' 


'-'f.l 


':Ut'0tH'IM'i^ 


[f^- 


5 


"Madam,  do  you  mean  to  dnve  me  mud  ?" 
«  No  need  ;  you're  tbkt  already/'  said  Mrs   Gourtn^ ' 
Startled  out  of  a  reverie  she  had  ^llen  intrbuttataS 
remembering  to  be  |>ro^okmg  "i  instantly 

Hush-sh  !    You  mustn't  speak  so  loud,  my  dear."  * 
r   M"-  Courtney,  will  you  tell  me  what  yo^  ,^^  ^^ 

ing  his  t©eth4<rkeep  down  his  passion.        * 

^^ippf !     I'm  suiprised  al  your  want  of  tAst^  M-r 
Corn^y.    He's  as  handsome  as  Apollo"    ""' "^"^  ^^-^ 
'^"  Ah-h  I"  "     '  *^ 

It  was  like  a  groan  from  a  sepiilcher,  that  deen.  h^i^! 
re^U^ion  from  h^  labored  S,     HetltlT.^^,:  } 
pitiable  object,  as  he  sat  the,^,  white,  ghastly,  ^nT2iA     K 

It  touched  with  remorse  his  wMhekr,and?Ct^       '^ 
.,  hand  on  his  aru?,  she  said,  mo^e  seriously  •         ^    *  ^ 

ousa!?Turf"l''fr'-  **«"'-«^y  X-  are  as  jeaL 
ous  as  a  Turk.  I  wish,  to  goodness  you  would'nt  makft 
yourself  ridiculous  this  way."  wuma  nt  maw 

"  Laura,  come  away  .»"      ^    ^    % '"~' 

"Come  away!    Where?' 

"  Out  of  this-any  lilace-to  the  island  again  " 

'Nonsense,  Mr.  Courtney !.  what  an  idjT  I  haven't 

"Lord!    I  am  miserable  in  it." 

"That's  because,  like  little  Jack  Horner  »6n  '.i»  i. 

IrT;!' "'*'';'.■"'"«"'■«  *'''' '■> "™' ""  ^ 

,^^I  shall  be,  U  j^  ^„„  au  »e.4u«t 


t| 


A.-    A 


i^ml 


v» 


_  \ 


BBLF-TOnTUSfL 


^ 


•& 


No  one  .could  look  in  his  pale,  haggard  facefind  dotifet 
the  truth  of  his  wbrds.     But   Mrs.  Courtney    lost  all 

^'•^What.inthenameof  all  the  saints,  have  I  don??" 
she  burst  out,  angrily.  "  My  own  husband  sits  up  like  a 
living  automaton  in  a  dark  corner,  aod  pays  me  no  more 
attention  than  if  there  wasn't  such  a  pretty  little  person 
as  Mrs.  Courtney  in  existence  ;  and  because  another  gen-, 
tlemun,  who  has  better  tasJte,  and  doesn't  wish  to  see  me 
pining  to  death  in  solUudi  pays  me  a  few  trifling  atten- 
tions  here,  you  come  majiing  as  much  fuss  as  if  I  were 
going  to  elope  with  him/to-morrow.  I  declare  I  will  too, 
if  you  don't  let  me  alon4"      '  '    - 

:.  "You  will  r  '.'"'■ 

And  the  hollow  eyes  glared  like  those  of  a  maniac. 
Even  the  taunting  little  wife  quailed  before  it. 

«  Ugh '  *  Angels  and  ministers  of  grace  defend  us  ! 
What  a  look  that  was.  Really,  Mr.  Courtney,  you  are  a 
ghoul,  a  vampire-a  Vandal,  a  Goth  !  You'll  scare  the 
life  out  of  me  some  day,  if  you  don't  lake  care.  I  wish  to 
mercy  you  could  be  a  little  more  ^;pasonable,  and  not 
make  such  a  goose  of  yourself !"  said  Mrs.  Courtney, 
Icdging  away  from  him.  , 

"Take  care,  madam  ;  it  is  not  safe  to  trifle  mth  me  ! 
^^«  WeH  whojn  the  name  of  mercy, «  trifling>ith  you? 
lot  i,  I'iii  sure.     And  now,  I^r.  Courtney,  here  comes 
Cantain  Campbell ;  and  do,  for  goodness  sake  !  drop  this 
subject,  and  don't  make  a  laughing-stock  of  yourself  and 
me,  too.    What  under  the  sun  would  the  man  Unnk  if  he 

beard  you  ?"  '  .  . 

"Do  not  fear,  Mrs.  Courtney;   I  will  not  interrupt 

your  /^/^-/^/If  with  the  gallant  captain,"  said  her  husband, 

ri«pg,  with  a  gtiaitly  smile.    "  I  loy^  you  to  hit  care. 


i^ 


>  I 


•/'ji.«-. 


■•.^•*-,. 


fiBLF-TORTOBB. 


satlsfijJd  you  will  make  the  best  possible  use  of  your 
time.  -  <■         .       ■■■  '      ■* 

"That  I  will  !"  said  his  irritated  spouse,  turning  her^ 
back  indignantly  on  him.  and  gating  Captain  Campbell 
with  a  smile.  .  '^ 

Thus,  in  that  scene  of  gayety,  there  were  at  least  two 
tempest-tossed,  jaalous,  passionate  hearts— Edgar  ^ourt- 
n^  and  Sibyl  Campbell.  ' 

All  the  evening  she  had  watched  the  dojar  with  burn- 
ing, feverish^impatience.  Why,  oh  !  why,  did  he  not 
come.  /         \  * 

Her  heai^  wasVelling,  throbbing,  as  if  it  would 
escape  from  its  frail  tenement.    She  was  growing  wild 
mad,  with  impatience  and  excitement.    And  yet,  in  spite^ 
of  all  her  watching,  he  hdd  entered  unobserved  by  her.      " 
At  last,  wrought  up  to  an  uncontrollable  pitch  of 
excitment,  that  was  beginning  to  betray  itself  in  every 
feverish  action,  she  fled  from  the  crowd  that  surround4    ' 
her,  only  anxioiis  to  be  alone,  feeling  half  crazed  with  her 
throbbmg  head  and  brow.    A  conservator)-,  cool  shady  - 
and  deserted,  was  near.    Hithqr  she  went;  and  pushing 
open  the  door,  entered.  . 

A^an  stood  revealed  under  the  light  of  thechande- 
Irer.  „      ..<  ,^^ 

With  a  suppressed  cry  of  mingled  surprise  and  fierce 
joy,  she  stepped  back,  and  Sibyl  and  her  false  lover  stood 
face  to  face. 


fALBae0O9    AM»  itEOmT. 


CHAPTER  XVI. 
rAtSEHOpD  AM©  isiicwt. 


'If-^'-^-ii^'- 

K' 

*1      ■        r. 

HKt^^; 

[ir.  1 

■  _■ 

^^HBfj' 

ik 

p^ 

' 

mk'\  - 

ft   ^ 


"Ah  1  what  a  tangled  i#6b^.'«**^»^ 
.  m«iimw«  practice  to  d««v.      ««=°^  ,.  p 

i4-HERE  was  a    moment's  profound  ^lence,  wttU 
1        thPV  stood  there  confitpntteg  each  other. 
i      WUh  17ate  P<=riecay  whU«,  with  bUzing  ey«  «.d 

""-n'Thri^Kokiarrn.'u.S.;  white  in 
t^r:f  h  r«  tr^:  iiUe  ^^.e  t™«io  ,u«.  in  he. 

(e«tal  robes.  _     ,„achenr   and   deceit-«ll    her 

°*Lr-n?barnVnB  torrent  through  her  mind,  filling  her 
r;^  nd:;ur:Sreconsun.i„glo«gi«gf-en^^^^^^ 

until  *e  seemed   to  tower  above  h.m,  regal 

woman's  scorn  and  hate.  ,    ..„  ,„  that  she  knew 

AndM  kfwinglHsgml^  «'^^  °^  f^^^ 

'«.  '--"'tUfbiffor  alme,t  an^  thenaU  hi.  ,elt. 
upon  h.m.  I^^r'^'""  °^\  „j  „;„„er  returned,  mingled 
trrf::irg  of  ^tte  admiration  for  the  darUly  beaut.- 

'"'  tl^ZT^  her  before,  save  i.  her  odd.  gyp^ 
id.  toT^  but  now,  in  her  rich,  elegant  robes,  she  ook^ 


'1','f: 


"^•4  ^.••-..* 


H'AieBBOOB    JSm 


ifwm^r. 


■■•/■%M 


Underlying  all  his  short-lived  passion  for  Christie  wiis 
still  the  old  aflf6ction  for  this  queenly  Sibyl.     He  had 


idc,  but  now  she  stood  before 

fortune,  equal  to  his  owoi 

ious.   He  knew  ihis  beauty 

^  fdf  now  by  the  bes^meh  of 

Toud  triumph  it  Would  be  to 


wooed  her  as  a  dowe^ 
him  the  heiress!^  to 
WHIard  Drumn>on 
and  heiress  would 
the  day,"  and  he  felt'  W 
bear  her  off  from.ali. 

"Yes,"  he  ^aid,  inwardly,  "tfos  beautiful  Sibyl,  thii 
regal  Queen  of  the  Isle,  shall  be  mine.  I  have  cotd* 
menced  a  desperate  game,  but  the  icnd  is  not  yet." 

And  all  this  had  passed  thrdugh  the  mitads  of  boA  in, I 
far  less  time  than  it  has  talcen  to  describe  it.  /' 

Drummond  was  the  first  to  break  the  silence,  whteh 
was  growing  embarrassing. 

"  My  own  Sibyl,"  he  said,  advancing,  and  attempting 
t^take  her  hand,  "  I  began  to  fear  we  were  destined  never 
to  meet  more.  Has  this  new  freak  of  Dame  Fortune 
made  you  forget  all  your  old  friends  V'^^>^ 

«  Back,  sir  I"  she  thundered,  in  a  te^pl  voice.  "  Do 
you  dare  speak  to  me  lik€  this !  Oh,  mattTfalse  and  per- 
jured, does  not  your  craven  soul  shrink  to  the  dust  before 
the  woman  you  have  wronged  ?"  .       \v  '- 

i^ibyl,  you  are  mad  !"  he  cried,  ihipetuously. 
*•  Mad  I     Oh,  would  to  Heaven  I  were  !    Then,  pei-- 
haps,  thi^aching  heart  would  not  suffer  the  tortures  thH 
it  doea    Mad?    ft  would  be  well  for  you  if  I  wtfrc;  but 
1  am  sane  enough,  to  liv^for  vengeance  on  you." 
"Sibyl!    Sibyl!  you  rave!    In  Heaven's Hm 
have  I  done. 

**  Done  ?  Oh,  falsest  of  the  false  !  have  you  t^e  bni^ 
effrontery,  to  stend  before  me,  and  ask  such  a  qiiestkm  i« 
that  ?    Done  y<1uA,  whi^  m  mt-^^m^mm  wwm  m^m, 


n^mef  ^vtat 


1691 


FALSmOOD    AND   DEOMT. 


\   ' 


May  Heaven's  worst  curses  light  on  you,  for  what  you 

"^^He  almost  shrank  before  that  white,  terrible  face,  that 
Wrnigated  brow,  those  lightning  eyes,  those  white,  cold 
lips,  that  mingled  look  of  hatred  and  utter  desolation, 
her  beautiful  countenance  wore.  -• 

He   had    expected    passionate  reproaches,  vehement 

accusations,  but  nothing  like  this.    Yet,  he  knew  he   elt 

he  deserved  it  all.     N^ver,  had  his  crime  appeared  before 

him,  in  such  glaring  colors  before.     But,  outwardly,  he 

,8tiU  showed  no  sign  of  guilt,  only  ^rave  surpns^  and 

:.i:*^^"Mlts^ctmpbell,"  he  said,  folding  his  arms,  coldly, 

^-«you  are  crazed.     When  you  recover  your  senses,  per- 

%Ls  you  will  deign  an  explanation  of  your  conduct.     At 

:^present,  you  will  excuse  me,  if- 1  put  an  end  to  this  inter- 

view  ;  it  is  too  painful  to  be  prolonged.'      . 

Re  turned,  as  if  to  leave  her ;  but  she  sprang  forward 

and  intercepted  him.  .    >,,  ,       i.vr«„«r 

; ,  «  Dare  to  leave,roe  !"  «he  cried,  passiotfetely.  Never 
shall  yoii  quit  this  room,  until  you  hear  the  vengeance  a 
Campbell  can  take  for  a  foul  wrong,  and  deadly  insult. 
Crazed,  am  I  ?  Oh,  you  will  find  out,  to'your  cost,  there 
is  method  in  my  madness,  before  this  interview  epds. 
Yoll  find  it  painful,  do  you  ?  Ha-!  ha  !  t^e  care, you  do 
not  find  it  more  so.  before  we  part."  ,  ,  ^  .  .  .  ^ 
ghe  pushed  the  thick,  clustering,  black  hair  back  off 
her  brow,  and  laughed  a  wild,  bitter  laugh. 

"Good  heavens  !  she  looks  as  though  she  really  were 

^  ■»»d;^Aught  Willanlv  with^a  jhu<»er^^^^^^^^ 

*  unearthly  laugh.    "  I  always  knew  her  to  Be  a  wild,  fiery, 

pasWonatc  girl,  but  I  never  dreamed  of  anyth.ag  like  thi8^ 

What, in  her  frenzy,  may  she  not  dare  to  do^  fo«,.¥onlj4 


-•  ~4« 


^■^rfhr'" 


FAL8BH0OD     AND   DBOEIT. 


Ittt 

she  comes  of  a  daring  ra^e.  Oh,  Chrifte !  Christie ! 
what  a  storm  of  passion  haye  I  not  raised  for  your  sake  I'" 
"  So  I  can  make  you  I  ^rt  and  shrink  already !" 
exclaimed  Sibyl,  with  fier4  exultation.  "  Oh,  you  will 
find  what  it  is  to  drive  Sibyl  Campbell  to  desperation. 
So  you  thought  you  could  make  me  your  playtjMUg  for 
an  hour,  and  then  throw  me  aside  for  the  first  new  face 
you  encountered.  Oh,  potem.  wise  and  far-seeing  Wil- 
lard  Drummoi^d,  what  a  judge  of  fcharacter  thou  art !" 

Her  bitter  mockery  was  worse  than  her  first,  fierce 
outburst  of  passion,  and  there  was  a  terrible  menace  lurk- 
ing, yet,  in  her  gjleaming,  black  eyes. 

But  Willard-stooid  looking  on,  still  unmoved,  only 
ama2«d,  as  he  stood,  with  one  hand  resting  lightly  on  the 
table,  looking  her  straight  in  the  eye  with  cold  hauteur. 

That  steady,  concentrated  gaze  had  on  her  the  eflfect  i 
of  mesmerism.     Her  mood  changed,  and  she  broke  forth 
in  a  strain  of  passionate  solemnity  :  .    • 

"  Oh,  my  soul !  was  it  for  this  I  poured  out  such  price- 
less  treasures  of  love  at  this  man's  feet  ?    Was  it  for  this  ^ 
I  forgot  Cod  to  worship  him  f    Was  it  for  this  that  I 
would  have  given  my  soul  to  perdition  that  his  might  be 
^^     saved  ?    Was  it  for  this  I  would  have  devoted  my  life^ 
with  all  its  high  hopes  and  aspirations,  all  that  I  was,  all 
thatj  might  become,  to  make  him  happy?    Was  it  for 
this  that  I  thought  of  hith  day  and  night,  sleeping  and^ 
waking  ?    Was  it  for  a  return  like  (his  that  I  would  havft 
gi^en  my  very  life-blood  to  free  him  from  all  p^in  ?    Oh 
this  heart-this  heart !    Oh,  my  lost  faith  !  my  blasted 
hopes  !  my  rv.ined  life  !     Wealth,  and  youth,  and  beauty. 


given  to  me,  but  what  are  they  worth,  when  all  is 
desolation  here  ?"  • 

^  I  Sb#  lUruck  her  breast  with  her  clenched  hand, 


-c 


1*  « 


f\f. 


f'^r 


\ 


f 


j^yi28g^o90  Aim'smmm, 


■Xl"bi%irit  o*  .h.  tempest  p.»«.  for  a  mom«K.  .^ 
breaks  forth  In  redouWed  fury,  j^  ^ 

tee^st,  as  though  d»  would  tear  Ir^i^  m^^^Mo 
gnawing  of  her  agony,  but  no  reply. 

;~'Ita:a  foMing  .er  in  hi.  arn.  bent  o.er 

^king  in  a  tone  of  piercing  angmsh,  "  why  d.d  you 

^?s!;;.!s;:.andteU»ewh«youn,«,.    As^^^^^^^^ 
iKAw  me  I  have  not  deceived  you.    I  love  you 

^-^^rr  rh':"rrno-'r^she  0^^^^^^ 

U  a/d  -einS  her^U  fro™  h.,^^p   ^«  »Ja.^--_^ 
false  as  your  ovm  false  nean  «  J-         '  ^.    .^.    ,» 
Wight  yL  -vhere  To„_«and.  „^f„°'J^X'i.  though 


nwtjati 


ag^eyes  were  glat-ing  upon 


V- 


fl^s.* 


"Christie,  the'^island-girl— what  of  herr  he  askftd. 
quietly.  ^  -aikcu, 

^*  Wh^  erf  her  ?    Wan,  i»a|^  .»  you  will  drive  me  mad  I 
©9^yowootloyehefr         f^/  - 

"Wber-^that  Uttle,  uncuUu^  child?    Sibyl  vott 
hftve  im  your  rea^oq,"  he  said,  ia  a  tone  of  well^fei^acd 
surprise  and  ladignatioo.    What  drove  *ueh  an  absurd" 
thQ«8fht  into  yo«f  liead  ?" 

"  Oh,  she  told  me  so--she  told  me  at^  I"  wailed  Sibyl, 
prespiog  Iier  hands  #> her  throbbing  temples.  ! 

"  ^«»POSsible !    Yoi^^ust  havs  dreamed  it,  Sibvl    Sb*  " 
never  could  have  told  you  anything  like  that." 

"She  did  ;  and  I  could  have  slain  her  where  she  stood 
for  the  words  ;  but  she  said  them.  And,  Willard  Drui^ 
mond,  do  not  deny  it— *r  w  ^rftg. "  ^  ., 

"  It  is  not  true  !"  he  boldly  answered,  though, for  th#  ^'1 
first  time  during  the  interview  his  dark  cheek  grew  crim.  ^ 
son  With  shame.  i>  *  ^ 

"It  is  true-it  mmibe.  Shei«puldnot  have  said  ii 
dse.  Oh,  there  was  truth  in  her  ^e  as  she  spoke,  and 
there  IS  j^uilt^n  yours  now.  Willard  Drummond.  tak« 
^re !  am  despe^te,  arfd  it  is  at  j^ur  peril  that  jm 
dare  to  trifle  with  me  now."  ^  .  ' 

R.  ^^"'q'k  r^^^'^'"''  '^''  island-mrl  rather  than  me. 
3e  It  o.  Sibyl  ;  if  you  have  no  moi  faith  in  me  than 
this,  it  IS  better  that  we  never  see  each  other  more,"  ho 
said,  in  a  deeply  oflfended  tone.  ^ 

"And  do  you  tell  me,  really  and  truly. -that  you  never 
wavered  m  your  allegjanceto  me-never  for  a  mome^' 
thought  of  any  one  else-never  for  one  second  W 


=a&ether=ih^ 


Would  have  oocudMvmT 
never  was  false  to  your  vows,  to  your  honor,  to  mi' 


"^^^^^^a^&i 


J&.>»%fla3 


''"  i^iSf  liiiiiivj';^.  ^  ■ 


-J. 


>  1         \ 
\ 


TMsBBHOaD    AND   DEOSlT. 


"Swear  it  !'^       .  .  .    ^  ... 

;f* I  swear!  ,      .   ,.       ,    ou  Willard  il  vou  are 

•<dh  which  am  I^to  beheve?    Oh,  Wiliara.      yu 
T»  un,  wnjcii  du  u^own'fi  worst  vengeance  fall 

deceiving  tne  now,  may  "^^^^  ^J^^^^^^^^  ^are  to  speak 

But  vour  own  actions  are  all  against  you.     w    y         j 
But  your  uw  R^ietv  while  on  the  island  ?   How 

1^  my  nature.    Vou  would  no    have  P  „^  ^^^ 

"^S;^it;Ud  and  interested-  -a- ^^^^^^^ 

ir!:::t:ra;:r:'^nL^/rLt.s.ou.a 
rfrs>:^rB::t:H;rvrnot  see^  ,«>  j ». 

.ot  fa.  distant  from  y-;.  »  «"°\K'  °'  '     yl  ;very 
would  have  been  more  than  delighted  to,  s?e  you  ev 

•^^y-'      '  *^oc-if  Sibvl  I  was  somewhat 

"Well    if  I  must  confess nt,  aioyi,  1   «» 

ili,ipoW4  to  give  me  c^it  for.        -  ^        -      -     - 


*^iMi 


\ 


y^ 


rf^.'*' 


FALSEHOOD    Am)   DEOBIT. 


_^  But,  when  alone,  why  were  you  ever  talking  of 
Chnstie?  If  she  had  not  been  continually  ih  .your 
thoughts,  her  name  would  not  have  been  so  frequently  on 
your,lips."  /  .  .  ^         '       • 

"Still  jealous  !  Oh,  Sibyl  !  hard  to  be  convinced^  I  did 
not  talk  of  her."  ' 

■'\  "  You  did  ;  for  Aunt  Moll  heas^  you  J'  '  ^ 
*'  Saints  and  angels  !  was  ever  ttian  in  the  same  dilem- 
,  ma  lam  in  ?  Even  an  old,  half-deaf  negress  is  believed 
sooner  than  I !  Sibyl,  I  never  talk  to  myself.  Aunt  Moll 
has  seen  me  with  this  island  girl— whom  I  wish  to^eaven 
I  ha^  never  met^and  has  fancied,  perhaps,  I  spoke  of  her. 
Oh,  Sibyl !  Sibyl  1  by  your  dark,  doubting  look,  I  see  you 
are  unbelieving  still.  What  shall  I  do,  or  say,  to  con- 
vincfe  you  ?"  -     >     , 

"  Oh,  I  do  not  krlow— I  do  not  know  I  Heaven  direct 
,me  I"  said  Sibyl,  pacing  up  and  down.  I  want  to  believe 
\  you,  but  I  cannot  gef  rid  of  those  doubts.  Willard,  once 
our  faith  in  those  we  love  and  trust  is  shaken,  hjs  very 
hard  tp  be  renewed.  There  wepe  truth  and  eanimess  in 
that  girl's  ^yeswhe^Sfee  spoke-more,  there  waHl^ve  foF- 
you.  •  Wheihei-  pr  not  you  love,  or  have  loved  hbr,  one 
thing  IS  certain— you  havft^taught  her  to  love^-^^."       ' 

"J  have  not  taught  her,  ^^yl,  nor  am  I  to  blame  for 
her  childish  fancies.  Even  Ifshe  does  car^  me,  which 
IS  doubtful,  it  is  a  sisterly  atfection— nothiJflP'more."  '  • 
"  I  am  noti:,Iind,  Willard.  It  wVno  sisterly  affection 
I  read  in  those  soft,  pleading  eyes  ;  it  was  strong,  unchanir*! 
ing,  undying  love.  Oh,  Willard  I  what  if  you  are  deceirC 
lag  us  both  ?"i  r  1 

^-^  loo  much  !  I  wiU-iroTneh^fc-lhoSe  - 
doubts.  You  do  not  Jove  tne  as  you  say  you  do,  or  yoU  '■'-' 
would  liave  more  faith  in  me.    If  you  believe  I  could  k^ 

^  f  «#  1*1' 


^-m 


<'ni 


n 


..   TS 


SIS  6hiW,  tbe»  it  were^ 

BiM£k&atoop  to  th<  mean,  low  gg^wu«  j  v  < 

liOf  tad  to*  »»*  Prit  i^  ^"^o^ 

^m^iiym  had  but  die^med  of  thM^«««     ba#,|ttle 
rm7he^rt  all  the  while,  you  wo«W  haye  fell  ^  J 
^use  you  could  have  had  for  ^o^W^      '  -- 

fraction  or  a  secpnd  did  ^,^^ 


.U}5;etlil?iO  W»«r      , 

/^forev^r !    Oh,  Wi 
j^^^^iU  jiexi^  dg 


i 


.j,  tot  tidi  one^ 
^nte^t  doubt  of 
^whea  will  you 


iMBf^c 


lUSt  bcUe^il*^^  do 
^ore !"  itaUi  Sil^l, 

3fd  for  il^  for 


- ""<   ^^'■f"^??^5'.'-5^'-'*n*/- V--  %?  ^1 


FALSEHOOD     AND    DECEIT. 


169 


for  your  sake.  Oh,  Willard,  with  your  coor  nature  and 
calmly  pulsating  heart,  you  can  never  form  any  idea  of 
the  passionate  heart  throbbing  here — of  the  fiery  blood 
th«t  has  descended  to  me  from  a  fiery  race,  Oh,  Willard, 
for  all  hiy  unjust  doubts,  and  suspicions,  and  accusa,tions, 
can  you  ever  forgive  me !"  •   "        -^"     ,   ^ 

He  had  borne,  her  frenzied  outbursts  of  passion,  her 
bitter,  withering  sarcasm,  her  utter  woe  and  desolation, 
calmly  enough"^,  but  now  her  renewed  hopes,  and  trust, 
and  confidence,  pierced  to  his  very  hhftrt.  He  felt  the 
blood  rush  to  his  very  temples,  but  her  head  was  bent 
on  his  shoulder,  and  she  did  ncjtobserve  it.  How  intensely 
in  that  moment  did  he  despfte  himself,  and  this  necessity' 
of  lying,  which  his  own  fault  had  c.eated !  Without 
thinking,  of  the  guilt,  as  a  gentlemen  he  felt  himself^ 
degraded  by  a  falsehood — something  Which  he  had  nevel: 
hitherto  stained  his  lips  with.  Arid  yet,  in  the  last  hour 
how  lowf^he  ,^ad  siyjk  I  Verily,  in  that  moment  he  felt 
"the  way  of  the  transgressor  is  hard." 

But  Sibyl  Campbell,  loving  and  hating  alike  with  utter 
abandon — going  from  one  extreme  to  the  other,  without 
knowing  what  a  medium  meant — knew  nothing  of  the 
thoughts  that  set  t|ie  heart  she  prized  even  above  her  hopa 
of  ^^^1^^  l^^^tJilifiP*^,  tumultuously  against   her  own; 

^  Ca^jp|fj|Mfaoifbt^  tl^V  \voul(i  not 

belilve  him  guU^^^e'Mclicious  joy  of  knowing  aqd 

^elieviftg  sfce^-was  still  beloved  filled  her  heart  ^Apd  so 
Tor  the  present  she  gave  JielieK  wholly  upf  =  to  this-  neW- 
happiness?    Qft  how  long,  was  this  Itelicious  joy  destined  < 
to  last  ?  -^  ^ 


8 


%  "! 


^ 


■J  t'^    ■* 


#2 


ib'^ 


41?r*^^t>-i ' 


170 


*,    '  -"  s 


\^ 


— S4    lULL    BEFOBJt 


CHAPTER  XVII. 

A- LULL  BEFORE.  THE   TEMPEST. 

••  We  hold  our  greyhound  in  our  hand, 
Our  falcdn  on  our  glove  ; 
But  where  shall  we  find  leash  or  band 
"'^Mae  that  loves  to  rove  ? 


—Scott. 


^ 


V.  ; 


"XT  OW,  my  dear  Mrs.  Courtney,  you  really  °^"St  ";>\ 
N-     think  of  going  back   to  the  island,  any  moi-e. 

your,  lively    ;it  /      r  (;,       j^ey    you  will  just 

Courtney,  on  going  to  mke  Ibave  oi  her  hostess,  h»d  l.s. 

■*"irMfro:S"he  began,  ra-her^hesUatingly 

«He  wm  not  ot^«t,  my  dlr'!"  broke, in  Mrs.  Bnmt- 
,ell  whlwas  comfortably  relsio^U  a  lA^S*"-"-*"^:; 

:^S»gt,ja.e  titeir  leL,  and  -ake^etr^^. 
il«Coortn«y.  if»  tiot  posMWe-you  do  not  ll-iuts. 


.-•r  - 


.Ml£_.. 


gs^^4j>JB 


"  "f  » 


TSB    TEMPEST.  ^ 

What  eart;ily  attraction  can  their  be'  for  you    in  that 
dreary,  litde  isle?"  'o^  you,  in  that 

delilJ^f^'/!'"''  Brantwell !  it's  not  that ;  indeed,  I  shall  be 
dehghled  to  accept  your  kind  offer;  but,  Mr.  Courtney  ' 
fe  sometimes  so  queer,  and  has  such  strange  notions  about 
intrudhig  on  peof/le,  that  I  do  not  know-—"- 
-T'^r'^^K  '    Nonsense!"  interrupted  Mrs.  Brantwell  J 
«.  T  /"''r7f  "^''^^^  '"  '^''  J^^*-^^'  ^^  ^°"d  of  society 

if  \r'  ,i  tr^^  ^^"^^  '^^  ^°"'^  ^"^'  °f  y«"°g  people 
r^"W  There  now,  run  away,  like  a  good,  Jle 
wo^an  and  tell  your  husband  that  I  positively  w  llrot 
he^r  of  his  going.  Come,  be  ot;  here  is  Mr!^ Stafford 
itmg  to  bid  me  good-by,  and,  I  never  c^ye  to  keep  J 
^ung  gent^man  waiting^speci^lly  such  a  good-lodk- 
ing  one  ;  th(ASgh,  I  don't  know  what  Mr.  Brantwell  would 
say  about  thaf!"  \  ^lutweii  would 

And  Mrs.  Brantwell  gave  Laura  aJacetious  poke  in 
the  ribs,  and  went  off  into  one  of  her  mellow  laughs 

Inwardly  delighted    at   Mrs.  Brantwell's    invitation 
wh,ch  gave^  promise  of  much  pleasure,  Laura  went  in 
search  of  her  husband,  fully  determined  to  acce 
whether  that  unreasonable  individual  liked  it  or  n<^t  ^pp^ 

She  found  him  waiting  for  her,  in  th?  ante-room,  all 
ready  for  starting.  (, 

..  T  h^'^H"^^  "^^'^^'1  ^°"  '°  ^°°S^  ^"  ^«  ^^^^>  sharply. 

I  have  been  waiting  here  this  half  hour.   I  have  sent  one 

ot  tl^rvants  to  hire  a  cab  to  take  Us  over  to  Westport- 

.?Ji&!'' r^'^'^K'nTV?"  '°S^*8^«  *°*^gi"^«'  i'^tead  of 
tet^g  to  Campbell's  Isle-a  place  I  never  want  to  see 
agawr.     Come,  make  haste  and  get  ready.'' 


-a 


™^ere  Sna  occasion,  for  I'm  not  going  to  leave." 


pe(^, still  more  sharply. 


0* 


Ml 


I'^Wftl 


■■'^^■f-  i^U-r, 


.^v; 


1^-^ 


•'  t .  i. 


♦  \- 


m 


dll  '-« 


Wh^tlsay.  Are  you  feliUryc|azy<hi6ug11,  Mr.  Court- 
*"|i|v,  to  think  I  would  undertake  a  two-hours'  ride  over  to 
.  «^^Vestppri,  after  being  up  all  night  2  Catch  me  at  it  I  I 
^    maye  too  much  regard  for  my  good  looks  to  undertake 

^Xny  such  journey." 

♦*  Ah  1  you  wish  to  retu^rn  to  theisland  ?"  he  said,^ 


ting  hi5  teeth  hard.     "  Captain  Campbell,  of  course,  will 


If 

accompany  you  ?"  -  • 

"flow  provoking  I  Every  word  I  say  is  converted 
I  ,vn  into  lood  for  jealousy.'  l|b»  I  don't  want  to  goback  to 
'"^^'-^ibc  island.    I'm  going  to  spend  a  w^eek  herejiph  Mrs. 

iBranuvell." 

♦♦Y<?!ji  shall  not  stay  here.    You  shall  come  with  me  to 

Westpo^t?' 

.      "Shnll  ^4«deed?    They'll  have  sharp  eyes  that  will 
see  me  in  Weft)ort^^r  another  week,  at  least,  ^ome, 
Edgar^have  sense,  an&ay  here-^r  a  few  days." 
"  WiHg^ptfi%GampbeH  be  he^  ?" 
«  Cap^S  C^pbell  Again.     Oh,  grant  me/ patience  ! 
How  do  IJcoow  whether  he  will  b?  here  or..a0t  ?    I'm  sure 
I  hope  he  i^Bif  it's.onlylo  driyej^  crazy  ;  for,  of  all 
the  absurd,  j«*lo«s  old  ty^ts  thft  dfer  lived  you're  the 
worst.    ldeciave,Mr.  Coum^yi>»^  pri#t)ke^  Saint; 
and  I  do  wish-SlLLaupifii^ve  me— ths^ou  were 
safely  in  heaven.    '^Mj^  now  !"i  - 
,  >.      "  Take  ^irc.  roadi|r'  %  said,  hoarsely  ;  "  your  good 
V"* wishes  arc  prfematuif    Old  tyrant  as  I  am,  I  may  live 
loogemM^b.  ta  makd  you  repent  this  lao^uage." 

<' Take  care  of  what?    I'm  not  afraid  of  you,  Edgar 

Courtney  !"  she  said,  with  flashing  eyes.    Don't  threaten, 

^Tt^driv^me  to  say  things  I  should  be  sorry  for 

afterward."  ; 

«  Once  for  all,  will  you  come  wl^h  nae.^  Westportr 


I'JTt'- 


/  "(►«-- ' 


^s*  '■*": 


%\ 


/I 


f%.'-'"7^i^ 


2'BJE    TEMPEBT. 


%■ 


ITS 


.."  Once  for  all,  no!" 
"MadafiDj,.!  command  you  ! 

"  Command  awa)r,  then  ;  1  slia'n't  Dudge  a  step." 
"  Mrs.  Courtney,  do  you  dare  to  brave  my  authority?" 
"  Your  aikftiority  ^  It  isn't  the  first  time  1  have  braved 

it."  '  ^ 

.  -^ 

"Tike  ckre- that  it  is  not  the  last!"  he  hissed,  with 
gleaming  ey<!s. 

"  Ugh  I  Don't  look  at  me  that  way^"  said  Laura,  shud- 
dering involuntarily  at  bis  unearthly  look  and  tone  « I 
,,  declare^  if  ydu're  not  enough  to  scare  a  person  into  the 
fever  and  ague  I  What  a  scowl  I  Edgar  Court ney^jou'w 
WQrse  than  Nero,  Heliogabalus,  Mohammed,  s^^  all  the 
other  nasty  old  fellowS,  melted  into  one.    Now  I'fe  made 

«ny  mind  to  stay  here  with  Mrs.  Brantwell,  whether 
like  It  or  not ;  and  you  may  do  as  you  please,  for  all 
r«^    Allow  me  to  wish  you  good-night,  and  a  pleasant 
jpurney  to  Westport." 

And  turning  abruptly  around,  the  indignant  little  lady 
qi^Uted  the  room,  leaving  her  spouse  to  his  ovm  not,  very 
pleasant  reflections.  ^"' 


The  company,  by  tWs  time,  had  nearly  all  departed 
Drummond,  hat  in  hand,  stood  near  the  window,  talkinr 

c" i'^  TT^  '°  ^'^y''  whose  f^-was  ftow  bright,  radiant. 
uiielouded.  1*  ■  ^ 

%.and   Mrs.  Brant^^cll  were  st'lj  holding  a  parting 
conversation  with  some  of  their  friends,  among  whom 
stood  young  Stafford,  Aiatching  Mr.  Drummond,  with  Mt 
lerocioua  glance, 
tain. 


Captain  Campbell  stood  by  himselA-evlJently  waitinr 
for  his  friend  to  accompany  him  to  the  isle. 


A' 


■'■'1  ■ 


u 


f 


I . 


m 


A    LULL    BEFOKS 


t0. 


Ak  Mrs.  Courtney  entered,  he  approached  her,  spying, 
with  a  smile : 

"  Well,  Mrs.  Gpurtney,  are  you  not  going  to  return 
with  us  lo  the  Island  ?" 

♦'  No,  I  think  not,"  said  Laura.  "  I  have  accepted  our 
kind  hostess'  invitation,  to  remain  with  her  a  week." 

"Well,  I  have  no  doubt  you  will„fi«>d  it  pleasanter 
than  our  lonesome  isle,  though,, we  poor  unfortunates^ 
left  behind  will  find  it  doubly  dreary,  now,  that  it  is 
deprived  of  your  brigh^t  presence."        ' 

«♦  Flatterer— flattery  !  I  don't  believe  I'll  ever  be 
missed.  You  must  remember  me  to  good  Mrs.  Tom,  her 
pretty  niece,  Christie,  and  that  ill-treateSd  youth,  Mr.  Carl 

Henley." 

"Your  humble  servant  hears  but  to  obey.  But,  my 
dear  Mrs.  Courtney,  you  must  not  desert  us,  altogether. 
Will  you  not  visit  the  isldi».d  some  day  during  tfie  week  ?" 

"  Perhaps  I  may ;  indeed,  it's  very  likely  1  shall;  I 
want  to  see  Mrs.  Tom,  before  I  start  for  home ;  so,  if  I 
can  prevail  on  Miss  Campbell  to  Accompany  me,  your 
Island  will  be  blcss«;d  with  my 'bright  presence,'  once 

more." 

"  A  blessing,  for  which,  we  shall  be  duly  grateful," 
said  Captain  Campbell,  gayly ;  "  so,  just  name  the  day 
that  I  shall  have  the  happiness  of  coming  ^for  you,  and  1 
shall  safely  convey  you,  *  over  the  sea  in  my  fairy  bark.' " 

"  Why,  Captain  Campbell,  how  distressingly  poetical 
you  are  getting!'*  said  Laura,  laughing.  "Well,  let's 
see.  This  is  Tuesday,  isn't  it?  Then,  I  think  I  will  go 
on  Thursday— dfiy  after  to-morrow." 

'Very  welly  on  that  day.  I  shall  have  the  happiness  of 


conusg  for  you. 


Until  then,  adieu." 


iSil 


'.,*?'; 


■  ■^h  • 


TUB    TBMPEaT. 


m 


"  Oood-by,  Captain  Campbell/'   said  Mrs.  Courtney,. 

holdinp^  out  her  hand.  ^_- 

As  she  spoke,  aslight  noise  behind  hc^  made  fier  turn 
abruptly  round,  and  she  almost  shrieked  aloud»  as  she 
beheld  her  husband— white,  ghastly,  ancL  haggard^stand?? 
ing  like  a  galvanized  corpse,,  by  her  side.  He  had 
entered,  unobserved,  and  approached  ihem  in  time  to 
hear  their  last  words— to  hear  them  nikke  an  appoint- 
ment. ^.       '-    ^  i  ' 

What  other  proof  of  her  guilt,  did, he  require?  His 
worst  suspicions  ^ere,  of  course,  confirmed.  Oh  !  terri- 
ble/was the  look  his  face  wore  at  that  moment,  Without 
a  word,  he  lurne^J  away,  and  walked  to  the  further  end  of 
the  room. 

-      Startled,  shocked,  and  sick  with  undefined  apprehen- 
sion, Laura  leaned  agairfst  the  table,  for  suppdrt.    Cap^ 
tain  Campbell's  eyes  followed  the  jealous  husband,  with  a 
look,  that  said  as  plainly  as  wor^s,  "What  docs  all  this 
mean?'* 

"You  are  ill,  Mrs.  Courtney,"  he  said,  noticing  witi 
alarm  her  sudden  faintness.  "Allow  me  to  ring  fork 
glass  of  water." 

"No,  no  !  It  is  nothing,"  she  sai^  passing  her  hand 
across  her  brow,  as  if  to  dispel  a  mist.  "Nothing  what- 
ever," she  added,  rispg^and  forcing  a  smile  as  she  saw 
liis  anxious  look.%/f^«usc  me.     Good-nighti" 

She  hastened?^m^  and  Captain  Caqipbell,  after  a 
moment's  wondering  paiise,  approached  the  spdt  w.here 
Willard  and  Sibyl  Stood^^and"  touchihjg  ftim  on  th© 
shoulder,  said,  somcwh.it  {rn|atiently  : 

"Come,  IJrummond,  it's  time  we  were  off,  if  we  go  at 

attr~lsv(nrks  it  T^TI  wHTTj^  ISSiise  ~ 

islani'*  .      . 


';i,v 


efore  we  reach  tbe 


z<%r 


-  t^t-T 


^  C  '3'^ 


-^ 


178 


A    LULL    BEFORE 


"  .  In  spite  of  all  Tl^  eflforts  a  cloud  fell  on  ^rbyl'^  sunny 
brow  at  his  words.     The  demon  of  Doubt  wa§  not  yelf 
Wliolly  exorcised.    The  island  !  the  name  grate^  harshly  ^ 
on  her  ear,  for  Christie  was  there. 

Willard   Drummond   saw  it,  and  his  resolution  was 
■  taken.     He  felt  it  would  not  do  to  refeurn  to  the  island 

just  npw. 
■■.'     "I  regret  haying  kept  yoti  waiting,"  he  said,  gravely  ; 
*  "but  I  do  not  intend  going  to  the  island  just^yet." 

A  radiant  glance  from  Sibyl's  beautiful  eye|  repaid, 
him  for  the  words.     But  Captai.n  Campbell  was  amazed. 

"  Not  return  ?    Why,  what's  in  you  head,*oow,  Orum- 

mond  ?    Where  are  you  going  ?"  he  asked,  in  surprise. 

■r  *"   "  For  the  present,  I  shall  stay  here." 

'•Here,  at  Mr.  Brantwell's?" 

.•♦No,  in  the  village."  ^  ^, 

"  Tired  of  Campbell's  Isle  already,  eh  ?    I  knew  ho«r"f 

'    it  would  be.  "  Well,  I  |uppose  1^1  have  to  submit  to  keep 

bachelor's  hall  alone  ior  a  day^r  two,   and^  then  I  shall 

>  return  to  Westport  to^gge  after\y  bonny  bark.     As  the 

^Courtneys  stay,  likewise"  I  shall  have  to  go  alone  ;  so 


;     ^■ 


'■sA- 


.>  '^*au  revoir." 


"V 


And    Captain  *  Campbell,  after  exchanging- a  word- 
.with  his  hostess,  left,  the 'house  to    return  to  Cfempbeir    - 

Loflgc.         /  ■ 

The   few' remaining  guests  by  this  ti'me,  had  gone.; 
and  Willard  Drummond,  also,  took   his  dephnure,    And^ 
.  ""then  •Sibyl  took  her  niglit  lamp  and  retire*!  to  her  room 
4   -to  dream  (jfhqpf- new-found  happiness. 
*        Laut^  Courtney  sat  alo,ne  on  a  stj^fca  in  ^  remote  cor- 
ner, h<*r  head  on   her  hanil,  her  b^ows' knit  irt  painful 
thought.    This  fierce  jealousy    o( ,  hag^husband's    was 
owing  insufferable  ;  .she  felt  sbcrtMg  n^  endure  it 


}.•» 


\^ 


I'SB   TEJdPmX. 


vn 


.  '.t , 


much  longer.  ^?Every  word,  every  look,  every  action  was 
warped  and  distorted  by  his  jealous  imagination  into 
another  proof  of  lier  guilt.  And  siie  painfully  felt  that 
this  absurd  jealousy  must  soon  be  apparent  to  every  *; 
one— an  almost  unendurable  thought ;  for,  in  spite  of 
all  her  levity  Jirid  apparent  indifference,  )ht  Httle  girl- 
wife  possessed  too  much  pride  and  self-respea  td  care- 
lessly submit  to  such  a  bitter  Humiliation. 

"  I  wish  I  knew  what  to  do,"  she  thought.     "If  I  sub"- 

mit  to  all   his  whims  and  caprices,  it  wilf  only  make 

matters  worse.     Nothing  can   remove   this  deep-rooted 

l^wssion,  and  the  yoke  he  vVlNrlay  on  my  neck  will  become 

'■  unbearable.     Oh,  I  was  hiad,  crazed,  ever  to  marry  him. 

Every  one  that  knew  him  told  me  iiow  it  would  be— that 

Jhe,^ was   .tyrannical,   jealousy  exacting,  and   passionate,        ^ 

b.ut»I  only  laughed  at  them,  and  deemed  him  perfection. 

ffow;  I  could  ev^t  have  loved  him,  I'm  sure  I  don't  know, 

lor  he  hasn't  a  single  lovable  quality  in  him.     However, 

it's  too  late  to  think  of   this  nOw  ;  1  want  to  forget  the 

past  altogether,,if  I  can,and  my  folly  with  it."  Good 

gracious  !  what  an  awful  look  was  on  his  face  that  time 

when  I   turned  round.     Perli||te,  after  all,  I  had  belter  , 

»ot  go  to  the  isljtnd.     Tli^  m^u's  a  monomaniac  on  this 

point,  and  it  won'l  do  to  drive  him  to  desperation."      ' 

J     She  bent  her  forehead  on  her  hand,  ajid  remained  l||r 

a  few  moments  loSt  in  troubled  ^houghtr  ^ 

*;    "|Jo,  1  shall  not  go  ;  but  I  will  not  give  him  ^le  tri. 

umpKof  knowing  it.     He  shall  not  think  I  am  afraid  of 

him,  and  that  he  has  humbled  mf  at  last,"  she..said,  half 

aloud,   as   she  raised  her  hea(|  proudly.      "I  will  avoiH^f 

Captain  Campbell,  tola,  asmueh  as  possible,  if  I  can  do* 

so  without  attraoting...atteE^on.'i«H5igii-(>,J  what  it  ft  t© 


I 


%'-. 


\ 


^pi 


■^fgjwy*»'."W 


•  ■■■V  r  "  -'■^' 


178 


A   LULL   BEFORE 


have  a  jealous  husband !     I  wonder  where   Edgar  is  ? 
Perhaps  he  has  gone  to  Westport,  and  left  me  here  f" 

"Prithee,  why  so  sad  ?"  said  the  jovial  voice  of  Mrs.  >. 
Brantwell,  breaking  in  at  this  moment  on  her  reverie, 
"you  are  looking  as  doleful  a,s  if  some  near  relation  had 
just  been  hung  for  sheep-stealing.  Come,  I  can't  allow 
any  one  in  my  house  to  wear  so  doleful  a  face.  Don't 
indulge  in  the  blues,  ray  dear,  or  you  need  never  expect 
to  wax  fat  and  portly,  as  I  am.     Come,  let  me  see  you 

smile,  now."  i 

"  Oh,  Mrs.  Brantwell  !  who  could  be  sad  in  your  sun- 
shiny presence,"  said  Laura,  smiling  as  brightly  as  even 
the  good  old  lady  could  wish  ;  "  but,  really,  1  wasn't  out 
of  spirits— only  dreadfully  sleepy."  And  an  immense 
yawn  couiirmcd  the  truth  of  her  words, 

"^No  wondci; ;  it's  four  o'clock,  so  you  had  better 
relirc.     Jenny  will  show  you  to  your  room." 

"Did  you  see— has  Mr.  Courtney — "  began  Laura, 
hesitatingly,  as  she  rose. 

"Mr.  Coiirtney  went  to  bed  a  quarter  of  an  hour  ago, 
my  dear.  And  here's  Jeiiny,  now,  with  your  lamp.  Good- 
night, love  !"  And  kissing  her,  Mrs.  Brantwell  consigned 
her  to  the  charge  of  a  neat  mulatto  girl,  who  appeared 
with  a  light  at  the  door. 

Laura  followed  her  up  stairs  to  the  door  of  her  apart- 
ment. And  here  Jenny  handed  her  the  light,  dropped  a 
courtesy,  and  disappeared.' 

Mrs.  Courtney»opened-the  door  and  entered.  It  was  a 
neat,  pretty  little  room,  with  white  curtains  on  the  win- 
dows and  white  dimity  hangings  on  the  bed  ;  a  wan-hued 
carpet  on  the  fft)or,  and  a  cozy  armchair  beside  the  win- 
dow. Mr.  Couftney  sat  on  the  bed,  still  dressed  in  his 
•veiling  costume — his  arm  resting:  on  the  snowy  pillowi 


>'.'ilK!i  t^.  * 


J^^«     V 


**.* 


; 


sriffWi'' 


ri/:^    TEMPEST. 


11« 


and  his  face  bo\ved  upon  it.  His  dark  elf-locks  fell  heav- 
ily over  the  vvliite  pillows,  as  he  lay  as.  motionless:  as 
though  death  had  stifled  forever  his  wildly  throbbing 
heart.. 

He  looked  up  as  his  wife  entered,  and  daslied  back  his 
long,  dark  hair.  Laura  really  felt  for  hi?ni — the  wretched 
victim  of  his  own  turbulent  passions — but  pity  and  sym- 
pathy she  knew  would  be  alike  misunderstood  by  him,  if 
manifested;  and  even,  perhaps,  be  adding  fuel  to  the 
flames  already  paging  in  his  breast. 

"  Oh  !  you  are  here,  are  you  ?"  she  said,  setting  her 
lamp  on  the  toilet-stand,  and  throwing  herself  languidly 
in  the  arm-chair,  "I  thought  you  had  gone  to  Westport." 

"  And  left  you  to  flirt  withyou^  new  lover.  Ila  !  Ha  ! 
You  thought  so,  did  you  ?"  ,5^, 

What  a  goblin  laugh  it  was.  '^"'Laiiira  shivered  involun- 
tarily, but  she  would  not  abate  one'jot  of  her  defiant  sar- 
casm. •    \ 

"  Yet,  I  saw  you  playing  the  eavesdropper,"  she.said, 
as  she  bega'n  taking  off  her  coll^n^and  bracelets !  "  it  is 
just  what  I  expected  of  you.  ^  Yoi?did  it^o  expertly,  on» 
would  think  you  had  been  taking  lessons  all  your  life,  in 
listening  at  keyholes.  'Perhaps,  you  haVe  learned  from 
some  hotel-waiter,  or  lady's  hiaid."*! 

"By  Heaven!  I  will  strangle  you!  he  exclaimed, 
roused  to  madness  by  her  taunting  tone.  Atid  he  sprang 
to  his  feet,  glaring  upon  her,  as  though  he  Would  fulfill 
his  threat. 

"Come,  Mr.  Courttiey,  be  calm,  or  I  shall  be  under 
the  painful  necessity  of  going  down  s|^irs,  and  inrqufring 
where  the  nearest  luiiatic  asylum  is  located.  Dbn't  rave, 
now,  or  try  to  transfix  me   with  your  flashing  glances. 


.  HI 


t 


■* 


fclV'^Jte* 


MT' 


My'ri-  '■  ■  ■ 


180 


A    LULL    BEFORE   TUB    TEMPEST. 


I  Ifim  not,  in   the   slightest  degree,  afraid  0f  you,  Mr 
Gourtney."  <         ,^  , 

And  Mrs.  Courtney  drew  her  little  form  up  to  its  full 
lieight,  an^  looked  with  cool  contempt,  in  his  face. 

"  Madam  f  if  you  go  to  the  island,  I  swear,  by  heaven, 
and  all  its  hosts,  it  will  be  thp  dearest  night's  work  you 
have  ever  done."  • 

**  Hem  !  Why  don't  you  swear  by  the  other  place  ;  you 
are  likely  to  know  more  about  it,  som§!  d^y,  than  you  will 
ever  know  of  heaven.'i' 

"  Silence  I"  he  shouted,  in  a  fierce  voice.  "  I  repent 
it  J  if  you  keep  this  appointment  with  Captain  CampLiell, 
you  shall  repent  it,  in  dUst  and  aShes !" 

For  a  monftnt,  he  stood  perfectly  paralyzed,, foaming* 
ai  the  mouth  like  a  wild  beast.     Even  the  audacious  Mrs. 
Courtney,  irenibled  before  the  terrible  pitch- df  passion, 
slie  had  daringly  excited..  And  with  it,  came  another  feel- 
ing, appreheilsipiis  for  her  personal' safety. 

.Springing  to.^isr  feet>  she  darted  past  him,  reached  the 

door,  and  said  :  - 

"Mr.  Courtney*  your, disagreeable  teriiper  renders  it 
necessary  for  lirt^^tp  Ipave  you  to  solitude,  which  is  said  to 
be  excellent  for  cross  people.  Hoping  you  will  have 
fccQver^  your  usaal  good-temper,  before  we  meet  again, 
allow  me,  to  wish  you  good-nighjti" 
'-  He  darted  toward  her,  but  she  was  gfone,  slamming 
Tie  door  after  lier,  and  was  down  the  stairs  inf  a  twink- 
le ^1",  She  knew  he^would  not  dare'to  follow  hex ;  and, 
-ea<^ing  the  daric,  deseHed  parlot,  she  threw  herself  ona^ 
ioupg^  and  burit  into  a  passionate  flood  of- teajrs*  In 
:l\at  mom^t^  she  fairly  hat^d  herjiusband. 

'  Bui,  when  the  bousehqld  assemble^  next  tnorning,  lit- 
aa'lilrs.  ^oiijitBfT  looked'  &s  bright,  andr  «mMiO|g«  a<WI 


*-»  » 


.  *    '  m-      r     •.  J- 


,^^-f 


TELE  FATAL    NOTB^ 


ven 


breezy  s^s  ever,  arid  met  her  pale,  sou r-visaged  Husband 
with  her  customary,  careless  unconcern.  He,  too,  was 
calm  •  but,  Jf  was  a  delusive  lull  in  the  storm.  The 
treacherous  peace  of  the  sleeping  volcano — the  menacing 
quiet  of  a  savage,  seeking  revjenge— a  calm,  more  to  be 
dreaded,  than  his  former,  fierce  outburst  of  pa"ission.  '"' 


y" 


."I 


v: 


CHAPTER  XVni. 

THE   FATAt  NOTi 


'<> 


"All  my  |bnd  Jove  thus  do  f  blow  to -heaven 
'Tis  gone. 

Arise,  black  vengeance,  from  thy  h£>llow  cell,  "N 

Yield  up,  olj,  love,  thy  crown  and  hearted  throne 
_     To  tyrannous  ha|e  1    Swell,  bosom  ^vith  tl^  frautigt, 
For  tis  of  aspics'  tongues!" — OxfeELLO.  • 

IN-WAJ^DLY  cohgj-atulatibg  himself  on  his  successful 
intervievv  with  Sibyl,  Willard*  Drummond  sought  hi^ 
rooms  to  lay  his  plans  for  tfee^uture.  * 

sibyl  must  be  his.  bride,  and  that  soon— love,  and 
|)ride,  and  ambition,  au  demanded  it.     It'vvould  be  such  a 
triumph  to  carry  off'  this  beauty  and  heiress — this  bril-  ■ 
liiint  star;  who  Would  so  proudly  arid  gloriously  e'glipse 
^hclesser  lights  of; Nejv  York  knd-  Washington.    And      ,1 
yet,  though  his  darjcef  angel  prompted  this,  her/involun-*  .     - 
tarily   shrjtnk .  from   th^rime.     What    vW  to  be  done  ' 
\yith  Christie?    What  \v^ld  she  ^o,  when  she  Heard  of 
his  fliarriage ?    Poof,  deceivcii  little  Christie?  his  heArt 
jBjlibte  hijn  to  think  he  Had  forgotten  her.  already. 
/      He  did  not  fear  her  much ;  it  was  not  that\wt»ich 
made  him  hesitate.    There  w^na  ^ot  a  pHrti<|i  of 


.tL 


f> 


^->^ 


■^.^ii  J 


■X' 


.     J 


i---»J 


t8d 


,  THE   FATAL    HOTB. 


in  Her  disposition.    Meek,  timid,  and  yielding,  he  knew 
if  lie  commanded  her  to  be  silent— saying  his  honor,  his   / 
happiness  CQmpellfid  him  to  act  as  b^  did— she  would/ 
gently  fold  her  hands  across  her  bosom,  and  die,  if  need 
be,  and  "  make  no  sign.""   No,  he  need   not  feur  her*,  but   . 
he  ieared  ^^m^^f//:     There  was  a  fierce  strugglCgoipg  «" 
in' his  breast.     Once  there  had  been  "before.     Then/'it  was 
between  honor  arid  passion  ;  novV  h  was  between  pity 
^and  ambition.     How  could  he  telf^s  loving,  trusting ' 
*child-bride  that  she  wojild^never  see  him  ttiore—that  he 
had  deceived  her  ?ind  was  to  marry  another  ?    And  on 
the  other  hand,  after  his  interview  with  Sibyl  the  pre- 
vious night,  it  was  absolutely  impossible  to  pursue  any 
other  course.     Christie  might  suffer— die,  if  she  would; 
but   Sibyl   Campbell— this  regal,  beautiful  heiress,  this 
transcendcntly   lovely   Queen   of  the  Isle— must^-fee  his 
wife.     His  wife !     Could  she  be  that  while  Christie  lived-? 
His  brain  was  in  a  whirl  as  he  paced  up  and  down,  still 
revolving  the  question  :  "  Wliat  next?— what  next  ?" 

Unable  to  answer  it,  he  threw  himself  on  his  bed,  only 

-to  live  over  again  the  past  few  weeks  in  feverish  dreams. 

'It  was  neat- noon  when   he  awoke;  and,  with  a  head 

but  slightly  clearer  than  it  had  been  the  preceding  night, 

he  set  out  for  the  parsonage. 

"  T4iere  is  no  pther  course  for  it,"  ran  his  thouglits,  on 
the  way,  "but  to  see  Christie,  and  tell  her  all.  Dat  how 
to  see  her!  Sibyl's  jealousyHs  not  dead,  but  slecpcih  ; 
and  if  I  visit  the  isle  it  may  break  out  in  nev/  fury.  1 
must  write  a-note  to  Chrtsiic>nd  send  it  to  liie  island 
.with  some  one— Lem  or  Carl— and  appoint  a  meeting, 
after  night,  unknown  to  0very  one.  Yes,  that  is  what 
pustoe  done.  Ppor  Christ  ije !  poor  Christie!  Villain 
tfcat'tiin  to  wrong  ypu  so!  but  the  hand  of  Destiny  is 


.■^s 


<, » 


.C^F*- 


rior  /i:47!4i  avori:. 


183 


upon  me,  driving  me  on.    "How  is  all  this  to  end?    In 
woe  for  some  of  us,  if  the  Egyptian's  pre'diction  come 
true.     Well,  I  am  in  the  hands  of  Fate,  and  must  accbm-      ' 
plish  her  ends,  come  vvlwt  may." 

-       He  found  Sibyl  alone  in  the  drawing-r6om   vvheii  he    .' 
Wintered,     Mrs.  Courtney  «nd  Mrs.  BrrtntvveU   were  con- 
versing   in    the   sitting-foom,   while   Mr.    Courtney   sat 
silently  in  the  depths  of  an  ell?ow-chair,  and  scowled  at 
them  over  the  top  of  a  book.  .    ^  * 

Sibyl's  welcome  was  most  cordial,  and  they  were  soon 
engaged  in  animated  conversation.  \  * 

Once,  as  if  by  accident,  durirfg  the  conversation,  he 
said :  '       '         "A 

"  I  have  left  some  things  I  need  on  the  island,  w^h  I 
suppose  I  must  soon  go  after.'*! ,  /  ~  / 

"If  you  mentlbn  i*  to  Guy/he  will  send  Lem  ojrer  / 
with  them,"  ^aid  Sibyl,  with  an  involuntary  coldness  iij 
her  tone.  ^m» 

"Jealous  still— I  knew  it,"  was  his  inward  comment. 

"  I  presume  you  do  not  intend  vising  the  lodge  your- 
self ?"  he  asked,  after  a  pause. 

"No;  the  island  has  few  attractions  for  ^e  now.  I 
really  would  not  care  much  if  I  never  saw  it  again,"  she 
answered,  briefly.        -  .V 

And  there  the  subject  dropped.  *      '  ■ ' 

Thattev€ning  when  Willard  returned  to  his  hotel,  he 
s.it  dowp  and  indicted  the  following  note,  without  dat^    / 
or  superscription,  to  Christie  :  .  / 

"  Dearest.— For  reasons  which  I  will  explain  whe^' 
we  meet  I  cannot  visit  you  during  the  day.     Meet  rae  t<i- 
night,  on  the  heath  below  the  cottage,  any  time  bef<»f«  - 
midnight."  ,  ^ 


/. 


»d^l 


hs^^-j^' 


a  ■ 

■a 


184 


3«£tf   FATAL 


NOTJS. 


devoted  attention  to  lull 
set  out  early  the  follow- 
on  which  ^II/s.  Courtney 


/l.est  it  should  by  any  change  fall  into  other  hands 

than  those  for  whom  it  was  intended,  he  had  omitted  his 

^kme— knowing,  besides,  that  Jt  was  not  necessary,  since 

ihe  persok  to  whom  he  would  deliver  it  would  tell  Chns- 

'  tie  who  had  sent  it.  r 

Folding  it  up,  lie  put  it  in  his  pocket,  knowing  that 

either  Lem  or  Carl  would  in  ^  probability  visit  N 

during  the  day,  and  he  could  s<|ize  the  first  opportunity 
"of  handing  it  to  either  unobserved. 
And  thus,  deterniined  by  his 
her  slightest  dqubts  to  rest,  he 
ing  iViorning  for  the  parsonage. 
Thfs  was  Thursday-^the  day 
had  promised  to  visit  the  isle.  V 

A     The  day  dawned  clear  and  b|;autifiil,  and  as  thfe  fam- 
my  at  the  Brantwell  wansion  assembled  round  the  brcak- 
fast-tablc,  little'  did  they  dream  |of  'the  appalling  tragedy 
with  which  it  was  destined  to  cl^se. 

Sibyl  and  her  lover  sat  in  their  favorite  seat  in  the. 
recess  formed  by  the  deep  bay-window,  talkujg'  in^^ow, 

lover-like  tones.  .        '^ ' 

Good  Mrs.  Brantwell  had  incased  her  lai^e  .propor- 
tions in  a  rocking-chair,  and  was  swaying  backward  and 
forward,  plying  her  knitting-needles,  and  trying  to  find 
seme  one  to  talk  to— a  somewhat  dilTicult  task,;  for  Mr. 
Courtney,  sitting  in  sullcrt^ilence,  answered  Coldly  and 
'  briefly,  while  his  eyes  continually  followed  his  wife,  who 
was  fluttering  in  iinVi  oxiym  a  restless,  breezy  sort  of  way, 
looking  every  few  moments  outx)f  the  window,  andstart- 
ing  violently  whenever  the  door  opened.  Het  hij^un4 
saw  it,  and  said^io  himself  : 
.'  "  Shi  is  looking  for  her  J^ver,  and  is  watchii 

■■  ^'  \       , 


4 


'^•^r 


:t 


i,l%,J^?  ** 


*  ."*!^'^'-Vi,*^g^?^  "■'JK''.^  "^ 


THE   FATAL    NOTE. 


18S 


»^ 


tiently  for  hi^  coming.    This  is  the  morning  he  promised 
to  take  her  to  the  isle." 

And  his  eyes  assumed  such  a  wild,  maniac  glare,  that 
Mrs.^  Brantweil,  looking  up  suddenly  from  her  work, 
uttered  a  stifled  scream  as  she  exclaimed  : 

"  Gracious  me !  Mr.  Courtney,  are  you  ill  ?  You  look 
like  a  ghost — worse  than  ahy  ghost,  I  declare.  I  k<^new 
your  wound  was  npt  perfectly  healed.  You  had  better 
retirie,  and  lie  down." 

"  Thank  you,  madam ;  I  am  perfectly  well,"  he 
answered,  in  a  hollow  tone  that  belied  his  w6rds. 

Laura,  absorbed  by  her  own  thoughts,  had  not  heard 
this  brief  conversation.  Yes,  she  was  watching  for  Cap- 
tain Campbell,  with  a  nervous  restsJesstiess,  she  could  not 
control,  but,  with  a  far  diflferenl  subject  to  that  which  her 
husband  supposed.  She  waftted  to  see  him  for  a  moment, 
D&fore  he  entered,  to  tell  him  -iH^eould  not  go  with 
him,  to  the  island,  and^  to  begpf  himf  riot  to  aHude  to  the 
subject  in  ^he  presence  of  the  others..  If  he  did,  she 
knew  her  hiisband's  jealousy  would  be  apparent  to  all — 
a  humiliation,  she  wished  to  postpone,  as  long  as  possi- 
ble. ■       n  ^  ■  •  ^ 

Therefore, -when  at  last' she  esjpied  him  coming,  she 
flew  down  the  stairs,  alid,  flushed*;-pagfer,  palpitating,,  met 
him  in  the  hall.  /' 

"Really,  Mrs.  Courtney,-"  he,  gaid|  smMing  at  hfix 
haste,  "  I  hope  I  have  not  kept  yoMi(|^?iiting."  '']L 

"  No,  no,"  sli^  answered,  eagerly.     *'T  wanted,  to  tell ; 
you.  Captain  CaiiipbelW that  I  cannot  go.",  - 

"No?"  he  :;,?aid,  iHokipg  somewhat  disappointed^ 
"T0eni  perhaps,  you  will  cbme  to-morrow  ?"  . 


•f;  Neither  tOfmof row  rid 
but^  I  Wanted  to  tell  you  th^ 


I  cannot  explain  ncMiif, 
ore  ypu  met  the  others. 


;   j<! 


'v      „j 


,  -d" 


.*^ 


1B6  rfl»   FATAL    NOTE.    ' 

Don't  say  Anything  about  this,  up  stairs  ;  and,  if  my  con- 
duct appears  strange,  set  it  dbwu  to  woman's  fickleness, 
to  eccentricity,  to  anythiing  you  like." 

She  did  not  Venture  to  look  .up,  but  he  saw  the  burn- 
ing flush  that  svvept  over  her  face,  and.  for  the  first  time, 
guessed  the  secret  of  her  liusband's  gloom.     ', 

"My  dear  Mrs.  Courtney „"  he  s.vid.  ge/itly,  "there  is 
no  expKination  or  apology  needed.  I  intended  setting 
out  fur  Westport,  to-morrow  ;  but,  now,  since  you  will 
not  go,  I  wiU  start  Uhis  afternoon.  Yau'will,  most  prob- 
c  gor/e  before  I  return  ;  and  so, 'besides  the  formal 
shall  bid  you  up  stairs,  let  me  say  farewell,  now. 
wc  never  meet  again,  I  hope  you  will  sometimes 
f  me  as  a  friend." 

pressed  her  hand  and  passed  up  stairs ;  while 
Laur  I  ran  t^  hide  her  burning  cheeks,  in  the  solitude  of 
her  own  room. 

The  dark,  fierce  glance  of  hatred,  ArhkflT  Mr.  Courtney 
bestowed  upon  the  captain,  as  he  entered,  confirmed  him 
in  his  opinion.  Pitying  Laura,  while  h^  despised,  her 
husband,  he  determined  to  positively  neglect  her,  rather 
than  give  him  furtlier  cause  for  jealousy. 

"You  have  left  Lem  waiting  on  the  beach,"  said  Sibyl, 
some  half-liour  after  his  entrance.  "Is  he  to  wait  tor 
you,  there  ?"  -        , 

I       "By  Jove!   I  forgot  all  about  him.     I  ought  to  have 
gone,  down,  and  told  him  to  return.      I  must  go  now," 
:  said  Captain  Campbell,  starting  up. 

^•No  ;  ring  the  bell,  atidj  will  send  Jenny  down,  to 
lelltiim,"  said  Mrs.  IBrantwell. 

"  Never' inind,  I'll  go,"  said  Drummond,  rising  sud- 
denly, 4s  he  thought  what  an  excellent  opportunity  this 


^ 


/ 


.1    ' 


TffM   FATAL    MOM. 


18V 


'. .  '-i 


*     would  be,  to  deliver  his  note.     "I  must  be  off,  anywa;; 


and,  I  can  just  take  the  beach  in  tny  'Vftj^ 


"Very  welh,"  said  the  young  ca^HRn,  resutnins:  his 


seat.    "  Tell  him  I  won't  need  his  services,  and  he  may 
return  honae.'* 

Making  his  adieu,  Drummond  hastened  out  and  went 
down  to  the  beach,  \vhere  Lem  sat  patient^  snnning 
himself  on  a  log,  and  Waiting  for  his  master's  return. 

**  Lem,"  sdid  Drummond,  as  he  reached  him,  "You 
are  to  go  back  to  the  island  without  waiting  for  Captain 
■^Cam^bell." 

"  Yes,  marser,"  said  the  obedient  Lem,  starting  up. 

"And,  Lem,  I  want  you  to  do  me  a  service."      • 

"Berry  well  ;  I's  wiilin'."  .  ; 

*•  I  want  you  to  carry  "^  note  from  me  to  Miss 
Christi>!|  \_^.   „         ■^'        -     ■■  ,.    ^   -'     ' 

"Yes,*  sar,^'  replied  Lem,. inwardly  wondering  what 
the  "  ole  'omiin  "  would  say  tg  this  if  she  heiard  it. 

"You  are  to  give  it  to  no  one  but  herself— 'neither  to 
Mrs,  Tom  nor  Carl ;  and  yoiji  must  i  not  let  ^y  one  see 
you  giving  it  either.  Why,  vj'here  the  deucef  can  it  be  ?  1 
surely  have  not  lost  it  ?"         | '  .  "  .       •^ 

All  this  time  he  had  beei^  jfearchmg  in  his  pockiets 
but  the  n#te  was  nowhere  to  be  found.     He  felt  in  hi;- 
vest-pocket,   where  he  had  placed  it,  theh  in   his  coat 
pocket*,  then  back  again  to  his  vest.     All  in  vain.     The 
note  was  gone !  "•   ^       '     • 

"  I  must  have  dropped  it  on  the  way,  cdn found  it  !"  he 
muttered,  angrily.  "  What  if  any  one  should  find  it,' 
But,  luckily^  if  they  do,  there  is  no  clew  by  which  they 
will  discover  me  to  be  the  writer..^  Well,  I  must  write 
another,  that 4s, all."  '  \  '. 

He  took  a  pencil  from  his  pocket,  tore  a  leaf  out  of 


4; 


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Jiay   FATAL    NOIB. 


his  tablet,  nnd  wrote  a  few  lines.    Then  he  consigned 
them  to  Lem,  with  the  caution  :  .^,, 

"  Be  sure  you  do'not  lose  it,  nor  let  ^ny  one  s^e  you 
deliver  it.    And  this  is  for  your  trot  ble— and  silence. 
^,  You  understand?" 

"  Sartin,  marse,"  said  Lem,  rolling  up  his  eyes  with  a 
volume  of  meaning ;  and  he  pocketed  with  unfeigned 
delight  tfife  silver  coin.  "  I's  dumb,  and  nobody'U  see  me 
givin'  Miss  Christie  dis.     Cotch  a  weasel  asleep." 

"All  right,  then  ;  push  off,"  said  Drummond,  as,  with 
a  mind  intensely  relieved,  he  'sprang  up  the  bank,  while 
his  messenger  set  off  for  the  island.  ^ 

Meantime  we  must  return  to  the  parsonage. 

Scarcely  had  Drummond  gone,  when  Mrs.  Courtney 
entered,  and  took  the  seat  he  had  just  vacated  beside 
Sibyl.     Noticing  Captain  Campbell  only  by  a  grave  bow 

—for  the  watchful  eyes  of  her  husband  were  upon  her 

she  entered  into  a  low-toned  conversation  with  Sibyl. 

"  Ah  !  she  is  growing  careful ;  that  is  a  bad  sign.     I. 
must    watch    them  more  closely,   uow  that  they  have 
become  guarded,"    thought   Mr.   Courtney,  setting    his 
teeth  hard.  >/^  *^ 

And,  while  the  captain  remained,  every  word,  every 
lobk,  every  tone  was  watched  and  perverted  by  the"  je^l- 
t)us  husband.  Captain  Campbell  treated  him  with  cool 
contempt,  and  scarcely  Noticed  him  at  all ;  but  Laura 
watched  him  constantly  from  under  her  long  eye-lashes, 
anxious  and  alarmed,  as  she  noticed  his  ghastly  face. 

'•  Oh  !  I  wish  Captain  Campbell  would  go — I  wish  he 
would  go,"  thought  Laura,  looking  uneasily  out  of  the 
window.     "  Heaven  help  Edgar !  the  man  is  mad  !" 

Did  some  sweet  instinct  tell  him  her  wish  I  He  rose 
Hiat  instant  to  take  his  leave.    '  « 


feWa  '>«ri 


'  »tl' 


Va 


THE   FATAL    NOTE.  igo 

"And-oh  !  by  the-way,  Sl#,"  he  said,  suddenly,  as 
he  was  departing,  «I1came  rtear  forgetting  I  had  an  epis- 
tie  for  you  This  is  it.  I  believe,"  he  added,  drawing  a 
note  frora  his  pocket,  and  ^oing  over  to  where  ^,e  and 
Laura  sat.  ~ 

"^For  me  ?"  said  Sibyl,  opening  it.   "  Who^from,  I  won- 

"  Little  Christie  gave  it  to  me  as  I  w^s  going." 
'  Christie  ?•    cried  Sibyl,  in  a  voice  that  made  them 
start  as  her  eyes  ran  eagerly  over  the  lines.     They  were 
as  follows :      °  ■  .        ■'        < 

"  Dear  Miss  Sibyl.-I  did  not  tell  you  all  that  night 
tJiave  thought  since  I  should  have  done  so.     When  nexi 
you  visit  the  island  I  shall  reveal  t.>  you  my  secret  •  for  I 
feel  you  ha-'c  a  right  to  know.  Christie." 

Pale  with  many  emotions,  Sibyl  leaned  for  a  moment 
against  the  window,  without  speaking. 

"Well,  Sibyl,  what  awful  revelation  does  that  tiny 
note  contain,  to  alarm  you  so  ?"  he  asked,  in  surprise. 

"Guy,"  she  said,  impatiently,  starting  up.  '« I  must 
visit.tbe  island  to-day." 

"The  island  !  Nonsense,  Sibyl  !"  broke  in  Mrs.  Brant- 
well. 

"  I  njust-I  must  1  My  business  there  will  not  admit 
of  delay.     I  must  go." 

,  r  "..^^a!'.'^^''''®  '^'■'"'S^  ^    ^*»*y  "^^'^ed  a»  well  when  I 
left,    said  her  brother,  still  more  surprised.  ' 

Feeling  it  would  not  do  to  excite  a  curtosity  she  could 
not  satisfy,  Sibyl  controlled  her  emotions,  and  said.  mo» 
calmly  : 

-    !' I^lp«y  an  weU enough.    U.U  i^  that;.  l»tti«jnH|Mf 


4k 


-M.-_-'-i    -,JV      /,. 


\ 


lOD 


THE   FATAL    NOTB. 


4    . 


fe>^ 


stances  reader  it  necessary  that  I  should  go  there  to-day 
Who  Will  take  me  over  ?" 

.  "  IfVou  wait  for  an  hour  or  two,  Carl  Henley  will  be 
here.  I  heard  Mrs.  Tom  saying  he  would  visit  N to- 
night, for  things  she  wanted.  If  you  must  go,  he  will 
take  you  when  he  returns." 

"Very  well  ;  I  suppose  that  must  do,"  said  Sibyl,  con- 
trolling her  burning  impatience  by  a  great  effort,  as  she 
hastily  left  the  room. 

And  Captain  Campbell,  having  made  his  adieus,  also 
departed,  followed  by  Mrs.  6rantvvell.  Laura  kept  her 
seat  by  the  window,  while  her  husband  still  scowled 
gloomily  from  under  his  midnight  brow.         ' 

"Well,  this  is  certainly  pleasant,"  thought  Mrs.  Court- 
ney.   "  What  a  prize  I  have  drawn  in  th^  great  matrimonial 
icJttisiry,  to   be,  sure.     Ugh!     I   declare    he   looks  like  a 
ghoul— a  death's  head— i(n  ogre -a— I  dontt  know  what, 
AS  he  sits  there,  glaring  at  me  in  that  hideous- way.     That 
"^hiau  will  be  the  death  of  me  yet,  I'm  sure.     Positively  I 
^lust  liave  committed  some  awful  crime,  some  time  or 
other,  t(i  be  punished  hk^  such  a  husband.     His  m®iith 
looks  us  if  it  had  been ymt,  and  bolted,.and  locked,  and  tlie 
key  fwrevcr  lost.     HV(jnder  if  he  could  open  it.    I'll  see." 
"  Mr.  Courtney,"  she  said,  facing  roUnd. 
An  inarticulate  "  PT^V//"  came  growlingly  forth  from 
the  compressed  mouth. 

•♦  Look  pleasant,  can't  you  ?  I  declare,  the  ve^  sight 
of  you  is  enough  to  make  one's  blood  run  cold." 

"  You  would  rather, look  at  the  gallant  Captain  Can  p- 
l)eii,  pel  haps !"  he  said,  with  an  evil  sneer. 

'•  Yes,  1  would  then— there  !  You  don't  see  him  wear- 
ir.5  such  a  diabolical,  savage,  cut-throat  loqk  as  you  do. 
I   «ri"8ti  to  mercy  you'd  take  him  for  a  model,  and  not 


"    '»?W   i9««9'^-*W»^p — 


:f;S 


THE   FATAL    NOTE. 


m 


.■••v 


"■^ .''' 


make  such  a  fright  of  yourself.  1^  positively  ashitned 
to  present  you  as  my  husband,  of  late— you  have  got  to 
be  such  a  hideous-looking  creature  1" 

He  glanced  at  her,  without  speakin^f,  until  a  circle  of 
white  fla'rfjed  around  his  eyes.  And  now  that  Laura's  by 
no  means  angelic  temper  was  roused,  there^is  no  telling 
what  she  would  not  have  said,  had  not  Mrs.  Brantwell's 
voice  been  heard  at  that  moment  at  the  head  of  the 
stairs,  calling : 

"Mrs.  Courtney— Mrs.  Courtney,  I  want  you  a 
moment." 

Mrs,  Courtney  hastened  from  the  room,  and  Mr. 
Courtney  was  left  alone  with  his  evil  passions. 

As  she  rose  from  her  seat,  his  eye  fell  di  something 
like  a  note  under  her  chair,  like  a  tiger  pouncing  on 
his  prey,  he  sprang  upon  it,  seized  it,  opened  it,  read  it, 
and  crushed  it  CDnvulsively  in  his  hand. 

liwas  Willard  Drtimmond' s  lost  note  !  ••'       ^ 

••This  is  hers  ;  she  has  dropped  it.  He  gave  it  lo 
her  !"„said  the  unhappy  man  his  fac§  growing  absolutely 
appalling  in  its  ghastly  pallor.  "Oh.  I  see  it  all— I  see 
it  all!  They  dare  not  fneet  in  day-time,  and  she  will 
meet  him  this  night  on  the  isle.  Good  Heaven  !  I  shall 
Cfo  mad !  Dishonored,  disgraced  forever  !  and  by  the 
tvoman  I  have  loved  so  madly.  And  she  laughed,  mocked, 
•ind  taunted  me  to  ray  face,  with  this  in  her  possession  !" 

He  ground  his  teeth,  to  keep  back  the  terrific  groans 

I  hat  were  making  their  way  up  through  his  tortured  heart. 

And,  as  if  sent  by  his  evil  demon,  Laura  entered  ^i 

hat  moment,  laughing  merrily  at  some  jest  she  had  left 

;»ehind. 

We  stood  with  bis  back  to  ler,  f  s  if  looking  out  of  the 
wiadow.  . 


i?, 


■  '4% 


-■x  .. 


.  ,Aj;,ssti'^.  i.  ,■»• 


IM 


THE   FATAL    NOTE. 


"  And  is  this  the  woman  I  have  loved — this  vilest  of 
her  sex,  who  dare  laugh  with  such  a  crime  on  her  soul  ? 
I  know  now — oh  !  I  know  now,  why  she  did  not  go  to  the 
island  with  him,  to-day.  She  thought  to  blind  me,,  and 
make  me  think  she  was  not  going  at  all,  that  I  might  be 
lulled  into  security.  Curses  light  on  them  both  J"  came 
through  his  clenched  teeth. 

Little  dreaming  of  the  thoughts  that  were  passing 
through  his  itiind,  Laura — ever  the  creature  of  impulse — 
forgetting  her  momentary  anger,  went  over,  and,  laying 
her  hand  on  his  arm,  said:  . 

"  Come,  Mr.  Courtney,  thyow\oflE  this  gloom,  and  be  a 
little  like  you  Used  to  be.  There  is  no  occasion  for  all 
this  anger,  for,  I  am  not  going  to  the  island,  at  all.  You 
see,  I  hav^  even  given  up  my  own,  sweet  will,  to  please 
you;  so,  I  think  I  deserve  something  in  return,. for  being 
so  good.     Don't  I?" 

He  turned,  I  and  she  almost  shrieked  aloud,  at  the 
awful  face  she  beheld.  * 

"  Edgar  !  Oh,  Edgar  !  Great  Heaven  !  do  not  look 
so  wild.  I  never  meant  to  make  you  so  angry.  I  will 
not  go — indeed,  I  will  not  go.  Only  speak  to  me,>  and  do 
,  not  wear  that  dreadful  look  !" 

And,  pale,  trembling,  and  terrified,  she  clung  to  his 
arm.  *"  , 

With  an  awful  malediction,  he  hurled  her  from  him, 
and  seat  her  reeling  across  the  roota. 

She  struck  against  the  sharp  edge  of  the  table,  and 
fell  to  the  ground,  her  face  covered  with  blood. 

But  he  heeded  her  not.  Seizing  his  hat  and  coat^  he 
rushed  from  the  house,  as  if  driven  by  ten  thousand 
furies  And  his  face,  upturned  to  the  li^ht,  was  the  face* 
of  A  dcmo^  '  / 


/     -v^-r 


.i^u;iky^^^.^^jjajM:VV^i^^*'^'P^-^ 


I3BWr  DAT. 


.Mm 


Thi^lioure  la^er.  a  boat,  containing  two  persons,  put 
off.  lor  Campbell's  Isle.     One,  was  a  rough  fisher-boy. 
half  simpleton,  half  idiot  r  the  other,  a  tall,  dark  man 
who  sat  in   the  stern,  his  hat  drawn  far  down  over  his  "" 
brow,  the  collar  of  his  coat  turned  up,  leaving  nothing  to 
be  seen,  but  a  pair  of  wild,  black,  maniac  eyes,  thatgl^od^ 
hke  hve  coals,  with  the  fire  of  madness.    ,  '   .  '  ."*^^i 


^; 


CHAPTER  XIX. 

THAT  DAY. 

"The  d^y  isf  lowering,  stilly  black, 
Sleeptil^e grim  wave." 


■■■   'Si 


REALLY,  Sibyl,  my  lovb,  you  are  getting  to  be  « 
mo^t  singular  girj.  Two  or  three  days  ago 
you  were  all  in  the  dismals ;  then,  afterthe  partv. 
you  got  as  i^tniable  and  bright  as  a  June  morningVani 
scarcely  had.  you  pwmised  to  stay  with  me  here  for  an 
indefinite  length  of  tmie,  and  I  was  congratulating  myself 
on  havin-g  s<icured  yo^^lere,  when  Guy  brings  you  a  tiny 
note  from  this  little  blue.e>^  island-girl,  Christie,  and  lo  I 
you  are  prf  on.the  wing  a^ain,  and  I  am  left  to  go  mop- 
ing  about  /like  a  pppr  old  hen-turkey  with  ih^di^tei- 

■per.   •.-"}■  .hr<:'i-    ■■■'■        .    ^  .  ■.  _.  .,  .  -  -.i ..J'-■i■■'J^i^^m"■ 

But  Tj^y  dear  Mrs.  Brantweli,"  said  Sibyl?  "you  hawi 
Mrs.  Courtney,  who  is  twice  as  agreeable  and  livelv  a 
compan,<^«  as  I  am.  It's  impossible  for  you  to  go  mop- 
»«»gji«>tf H  as^  you  say,  when  she  is  here." 

"PhJyfes,"  Kiid  Mrs.  Brantweli,  "that's  «ll  v«fy  Jnik 


,-1  W 


"M; 


WBAT  BAX. 


\ 


\ 


vithput  basing  in  the  least  consoliqg.    I  want  you.     Mrs. 
.Courtne>'s  very  lively  i^nd  ati  that,  I  knuw  ;  but  I  invited 
%],    iier  here  as  much  to  keep  you  in  spirits  as  anything  else,  -* 
;ii#.     #i>d  now  you  fly  oflf  and  leave  us  for  my,  pains." 

s  •*  1  «m  very  sorry,  Mrs.  Brantwell,  to  disturb  your 
4JPQUsemcnts,"  said  Sibyl,  gravely  ;  "  but  when  I  tell  you 
this  affair  is  of  the  utmost  importance  to  me,  and  that  my 
happiness,  in  a  tneasure,  depend!^  upon  my  going,  I  am 
sure  you  will  withdraw  your  objections." 

"  Your  happiness  ?  Now,  Sibyl  Campbell,  I  would  just 
like  to  know  what  this  island-girl  has  to  do  \i\\.h.y<mf  hap« 
piness  ?*'  iSaid  Mrs.  Branswcll,  folding  her  fat  handl,  and 
looking  in  Sibyl's  face.  »7 

^  r  More  tha«>  you  would  ever  think,  perhaps — more 
Ihan  I  once  ever  dreamed  myself  she  would  have,"  sau 
Sibyl,  while  a  cloud  fell  over  her  brow.  "  But  enougk^f 
this.  I  cannot  explain  furtherat  present.  The  ai^<^^t  of 
it  \%  I  must  go  tolnight  i" 

And  Sibyl's  fa^ce  assumed  that  look  of  steady  decision 
it  could  sometime^  wear.         ,  .  ' 

.      "Humph'!  particularly  mysterious  all  this.    When/do 

i    you  return  ?"  \ 

,,     "Tliat  depends  i^pon  circumstances.    To-morr0w,  per- 

hips.'*^  ;  " 

"ISibyl,  do  you  kUow  what  I  think  ?"  said  Mrs.  Brant- 
well, with    such  abrupt  suddenness  that  the  young  girl/ 
started..        ■       '      .    \  ,■../'  / 

•'  No,  indeed  ;  I  dp  not  pretend  to  divination/*  she 
said,  with  a  smile. 
_^-*^iiall  I  tell  you  ?" 
—      "If  you  please.    I  am Wl  attention.*' 

'*  And  you  will  not  be  ^ngry  with  youi;  ^d  friend»  who 


^isfe^T- 


si'- 


'i  *    »« 


ttUT 


iKtpi 


made  a  discovery.  ■     *  ""  °'  »"«  ""w  l»ry: 

Sibyrs  dark  &ce  flushed,  and  ,he„  g„«-  t.„  0.1.         ' 
"  Aod  thai's  a  very  misenhl.  f— i-  ^  "^  *        '■ 

Mrs.  Braouvell,  compel  ly^rj"'"*'  "y  "«■•.••  sal* 
sensible  persoa  ever^  '      "^^  fj^T  ''"!!"'  '*' 
bestow  .l-eirafiee.ioasorfh^'^^a  ..h'        .  "  ""'"'/' 
implicit  trust     Now  I  hi  7     ""  ""^  '"'  ?•«* 

«nse  ,0  fancy  Mr  D;u'?ir/°"  "^'=  '"o  -"-hW 
.'.i,wo,ldmor"th^;ru"         '""  "^'^  '"'  ""/<"»  '» 

■jealous  ol  any  one  „„rh  ll^       "'"  '^°"''*  "'""P  '»  •» 
like  this  Chri  L     'nlfhr  ""  '"'«"'6<^"  ""legiri 
ing  for  your  g^^>':trT^' 7 '"''*••  '  »">  t«k- 
est  causi  .0  f«rtrivtr   /or  '^f  ^h"  '"""  "'"  "«'  =«8"- 
pot  find  one  nwre  JerlkX'  Z     ^f,  ^°"  """•  y^  <»°-  I 
."on'tsaytMstr^arr'^^ir;;-!"    '';-  ^'••'™"-    I'l 
queenly  darling,  could  never  b^  vaift     ."°"  ^f"'  "^  * 
you  with  confidence    cJLI       Vj""-but  ic  is  to  iBspiijB   « 

fueling  that  fs  unr;„^r;o7  ^Mr  "d""'  '"""r?  ""' 
assured,  has  never  f„n  L  •  Drummond,  I  feel' 

to  you>^,  /'*''"""'="'  '""«•«•  in  his  fidelitj. 

"  W^^BOL^H/jrnit  fTf  ""*  '"'^*-  !««">>««#. 
«his  peril    H.  Ws  r^      "^  '°  "••    ^'  "■»  *nlt 


^' 


P/v' 


;.*- 
M 


-  <v  ; 


m 
If'  - 


t*:: 
» 


4" 


JP 


t 


TSAT  DAT. 


of  what  I  only  8iispec(ed1>^ore.  I  am  afraid  yotii  will  be 
very  unhappy,  Sibyl,  if  you  indulge  in  such  feelifigs. 
You  ought  to  try  and  cultivate  a  more  trusting  spirit,  my 
dear  ;  without  perfect /faith  in  the  person  we  love,  there 
can  be  no  happinesa 

"I  do  trust!     I  </^  trust  !     I  wi//  trust!"  said  Sib)Pl, 
clenching  her  small  hand  ^  though  she  wogld  in  a  like 
manner  shutout  all  doubt  f rpiipi  her  heart.    But,  oh,  where 
wc  love,  the  faintest  symptom  of  distrust  is  madness.'* 
•.  *•  Where  we  love  truly  we  f^l «)  distrust,  Sibyl."    . 

"  Oh,  you  do  not  know.  Do  I  not  love  truly  ?  Have 
I  ,not  staked  life,  and  heart,  and  happiness  on  him,  an|t 

"  You  doubt." 
,     '*  Noi^  no — not    now.     I  did    doubt,    but    that    time 
has  gone,'\said  Sibyl,  with  a  sort  of  incoherence. 

"  Then,  \vherefore  this  visit  to  the  isle,  Sibyl  ?"  said 
KtL  Brantwe^l,  fixing  her  eyes  searchingly  on  her  face. 

.Before  Sibyl  could  reply,  a  sound,  as  if  of  a  heavy 
fall  below;  reached  their  ears. 

-**.What  can  that  be  ?"  said  Mrs.  Brantwell,  starting  up. 

"  It  sounded  like  some  one  falling,"  said  Sibyl,  iisten- 
iiig  breathlessly.  "  I  will  go  down  and  see." 
^^  She  tlew  down  the  long  staircase,  followed  by  Mrs. 
Brant wdll  ;  and,  on  entering  the  room,  there  they  found 
Mrs.  Courtney  lying  senseless  on  the  floor,  her  face 
deluged  with  blood. 

'*  Great  Heavens !  what  has  happened!"  said  Sibyl, 
turning  faint  and  sick  at  the  sight. 

"Oh,  I  know,"  said  Mrs.  Brantwell,  wildly,  as  she 
hurried  forward  and  raised  the  slender,  prostrate  form. 
**  Oh,  that  deymon  of  jealousy  !  How  many  souls  is  it 
4^imAt9  torture  ?    Sibyl,  please  ring  the  bell; "  f  . 


i-J' 


'vrl»r-i 


>%- 


rt^ 


THAT  DAT. 


m 


^ufT7^'^  J**^'  '^''  "^^"^    I  do  not  andcratand.- 
said  Sibyl,  as  she  obeyed.  ""acreiana, 

*^'' Why  this  poor  child's  husband  is  crazy  with  jealouar 
-I  have  observed  it,  though  she  thought  /dfd  a  j^  ^""^ 

Heaven  be  merciful  !  he  cannot  have  struck  herr*^^ 
sa.d  Sibyl,  white  with  horror  ^^-T^M 

entered,     tell  Tom  to  go  instantly  for  the  doctor  and 
^then^come  b..c.  .„d  help  .e  .o  carry  this  pooTl:^^ 


f- 


the'b'oV'roTth  ^'"^  ''"^ '"  "'^^ '  ^"^  -^'^^  dispatchid^  ^ 
the  boy  for  the  doctor,   hurried   back  and  aided  Mrf    - 

tfhrroo.;"  '""'^'"^  ••"*  ^"«^'  '--of  Mr.-rurt'i^   .,; 

hlJi"'"'/!.*  f"*   "P'^  *'""■•  «!«=  washed    off  tho-C 
blood  and  disclosed  a  deep  gash  right  above  .he  e^ 
wh,ch^co„.,„„ed  bleeding  so  profuse./as  to  a^'^gS 

d  J  °'''  '  'T  "^^  "■""'.'«<•  'o  death  !     W^ould  that  th*  ' 

LriXp^rdiitrTsi'' "-  ^--"-  —4' J" 
.^ef,eeding'"'r;ti\rdrere:^!rrr"'; 

..d..  and   „ande.d   with  a  ^IJ^:::^^ 

"My  poor  child,  what  has  happetied ?" "said  M« 
B^ntwell.  bending  over  her,  and  partTg  Ttfl  bHghC^ 
ordered  hftir  on  her  pale  brow.      ^      :  -^°. 


:4\.>   -> 


'  /?hci».>l.. 


V^T^iSiJjRSglSJSPJ^i 


^f^^l 


.1 

^"^/^, 

^M 

r^nfi,;- 

m 

t 

\ 

» 

- 

TBAt  Air. 

'%§^l« 


'    ( 


'- 


i«Kj^^ 


N'    ■^♦V?   *• 


"  Where  19  he^'^^.slie  .j^jd,  grasping  Mrs.  Brantwell's 
Bjfwf,  convulsively. 

"  "Who,  love?"  said  Mrs.  Branturell,  gently.  -^ 

"  Oh,  he— Mr.  Courtney,"  she  said,  in  the  same  fright- 
eaed  whisper.  ,    ' 

'      **  He  is  gone,  dear.     Did  he  strike  you  ?" 

"Oh,  no!^no>  no!"  "she  cried,  wildly^  «I  fell,  and 
struck  against  sometiiing.  Oh,  my  head!  .  F' am  going 
craxy,  I  think."  ;    ,  ^ 

"Hush,  love!  You  musC  .not  excite  yourself.  '  Lie 
still,  and  do  hot  talk."  ■  . 

"  1  have  bceiM^erx^icked— very Tash,"  she  said,  "but, 
I  did  not  mfepn  it.  Ofij'  I  never  meant  it— I  never — never 
meant ,  it  I'  she  moaned^  pressing  her/ hands  over  her 
heart.  *" 

"  My  dearest  child,  I  know  it  But  it  will  hurt  you  to 
talk  so  much."  «  ^ 

■  *•  Yes,  yes;  I  always  did  talk  thoughtlessly,  and  it  has 
driven  him  mad.  Oh  I  I  loved  him  xriice,  and  I  have 
driven  him  mad,  now,"  she  cried,  wringing  her  pale  fin- 

.  Mrs.  Brantwell  looked  at  tile  puszled  doctor  in  deep- 
est distress.  .  * ' 

-      •'  Give  her  this  ;  it  will  compose  her,"  said  that  gentle- 
man, who  could  not  tell  what  to  make  of  all  this.    - 

**  Drink  thi4,  love  ;  it  will  soothe  you,"  said  th§t  good 
lady,  raising  the  poor,  wounded  head  of  the  young  wife, 
and  holding  the  cup  to  her  Ups.  * 

With  the  passive  obedience  of  a  child^  she  complied, 
and  fell  back  on  her  pillow.  4nd,  gradually,  the  wild, 
frehsied  expression  left  her  face,  and  she  fell  into  ft  deep 
slumber.         •  ^  »  " 

^  And  now,  sl^  mqst  .^.  kept  r«r|  qiii^^'  sold  tte  doc< 


Lie 


iiKiiteS^i&: 


vw^ 


'    ( 


^ 


■''^       ."     '■'.".'■    ,■-"■■-.         .  ■     /        ^  1        ■    -  .  _  .    :...^.',-, 

■'    I     ■    ■        •  •  X  -       V  .     ,  '        ■       .-  -I 

'  .        ^>r      .-^     .-  -  •     ---^^ 

tor  as  ^e  took  1,is  hat  and  glomes.  There  Is  not  the 
slightest  dan^er.if  she  is  tiot  aUowed  to  txchc  herself, 
and  IS  Qarcfullynur^ed,^vhid»>i  know  she  will  t>^,  with 
Mrs.  Bmntwcih  Repeat  the  medicine,  when  she  wakes, 
and  I  will  call  again,  to-morrow." 

And  the  doctor  bowed  himself  out^vhile  Mrs.  Brarft^ 
well  sat  down  beside  the  poor,  pale  sleeper,  fanning  her 
gently,  and  watching  lier  whilj  she  sl6pt.  . 

Sibyl,  seeing  iier  presence  was  not  necessary,  w^t 
down  to  the  parlo,,  where  she  found  Wiikird  D.ummond 
atVauing  her.     SUe  started  in  alarm,  for  ms  countenance;^ 
was  grave  and  deeply  troubled.  "  "* 

"  Why.  Will.xrd.  what  has  happ^ed  ?"  she  asked,  hflr- 
"^llTr"''"  '"''"  ike  alarm,  where  he  wa^' concerned. 
S.byl,    he  said,  slowly.  "  I  am  obliged  to  leave' yo«.'- 
She  ttM-n^d  deadly  pale^and  her  large.  darieeyesW  " 
fixed  on  his  face,  in  agonized  inquiry.    •       • 

"Scarce  an  hot.r  ago.  I  received  a  letter  from  home." 
he  went  o.,  saying,  that  my  father  1|ras,at  the  point  of 
death,  and.  ,f  1  ever  wished  to  see  him  a;;ain.  I  m,]^ 
hasten  .there,  immediately.  1  have  no^  a  moment  to  los^ 
Mtart  instantly;  but  first,  I.  have  c<1,&lo  take  leave  .o^ 

The  news  came  so  suddenly,  that,  for  a  moment  she 
seemed  stunned.  ■  '    ^  •■  wc 

^^P^^^°  y^  '''"™  ^"'  '^'^  ^^'^^  '"^  ^oi<=e  faint  with 

j  "  A 

IK 


'i^ 


V 


"Soon  I  hopej'but.  I  cannot,  as  yet.  telK*    Farcwc# 
ray  own,  dearest  love;  belieVc  me,  I  will  return  to  yott 
as  soon  as  mav  ho,"'  •      rr  -  "  lu  you 


as  sooq  as  may  ba" 

will  w 
his  shoulder, . 


"An«|  y<,u  w/ll  write  ?'V  she,  said,  burjring  her  face  U 
"  Certainly,  S»b^t::-that  will  be  my  first  C^    Reme^ 


72,1 


.«- 


:;V,: 


m 


-"rt  \  '-^l^''-  4^'^-'^''t^''-''^''fP^%'^^''-'!'^"''".''''*y-^^^^^ 


TBAT  DAT. 


Der  me  to  our  frtend3)  and  explain  to  them  the  cause  of 
tbiis  abrupt  departure.     And  now,  once  more,  adieu." 

He  pressed  her  to  his  hear(>  and  ihen  quitted"  the 
house,  and,  mounting  his  horse,  rode  rapidly  away.       ' 

Once  he  paused,  and  looked  anxiously  in  the  direction 
of  the  isle.  He  thought  of  Christie  receiving  his  note, 
anid  waiting  for  him  in  vain,  at  their  lonely,  trysting- 
place. 

.** What  will   she  think  of  1%  absence?"  he  mused; 

:**for>  I  know,  poor,  faithful  child,  she  will  await  my  com- 

^ log  there,  until   morning  dawn.     What   cause  will    she 

*  alsign  for  my  not   keeping   my  appointment?     Well,  I 

ouinot  help  it.     I  dare  not.wait  until  morniijg;  and  she 

will  hear  to-morrow,  why  I  was  absent." 

And  he  rode  on,  neve^  thinking  whether  Christie  was 
destined  to  live  to  see  that  eventful  to-morrow,  dawn. 

When  he  was  gone,  Sibyl  sat  for  a  few  moments,  with 
a'feeling  of  utter  desolation.  She  knew  he  was  not  to  be 
gone  long ;  but,  it  was  their  first  parting,  save  the  few 
:  daysf  she  was  absent  in  New  York,  and  there  was  a  dreary 
siense  of  loneliness — a  passionate  longing  to  be  with  him, 
to  never  leave  him— filling  her  heart.  With  her  hands 
lying  upon  the  table,  and  her  head  dropped  upon  them, 
ahe  remained  wholly  unconscious  ol  the  flight  OFlime, 
until  the  entrance  of  Mrs.  Brant  well,  aroused  her. 

She  lifted  Jier  head  and  tried  to  listen,  as  the  good  old 
lady  spoke' di-Caura. 

"She  has  had  a  quiet  sleep,  and  now  appears  much 
better.  ,  But  hoW  pale  ypd  arc,  Sibyl !    Are  you  going  to 

beii*,tpor'-  '-■>■'■-   -;"i     './/"'' 

^*^No,  I  am  quite  well ;  only  it  gavd  me  such  a  shock, 
it  was  so  stidden,"  said  Sibyl,  pressing  her  hands  to  her 
l^lirobbiog  hfow.    . 


-t. 


-     •  !  J        » 


-   »-,. 


'■1' 


iHdr  2)4  r. 


1. 1**  •  *<j 

"  Yes,  I  don't  wonder  at  it,"  said  Wrs.  Brantweli,  think, 
ing  the  shock  she  alluded  to,  was^-ihe  sudden  sight  of 
Laura.  "  I  caniis  to  look  for  a  sponge,  and  must  go  back 
to  Mrs.  Courtn«^  now."  '  '* 

She  left  the^om,  and  Sibyl  went  to  the  windaikand^ 
looked  put.   "^'  ^  /^ 

Cj^^  l/'®^"°°"  ^^*  waning,  the  sun  was  slowly  sink- 
^  •  ihg*to\^frd  the  west,  and,  Sibyl  saw,  with  some  conc^ra^ 
"^    t^at  a  dark,  dense  cloud  was  rising.  . 

"  There  is  a  storm  coming,  and  perhaps  there  may  be 
no  boat  fronj  the  island,  after  all,"  she  said,  anxiously. 
"How  can  I  wait  until  to-morrow  ?" 

But,  even  while  she  spoke,  she  espied  the  well-knowil' 
form  of  Carl  Henley,  approaching  the  house. 

Sibyl  sprang  to  the  bell,  and  rang  a  peal,  that  pres 
ently  Brought  Jenny.  -;  ^ 

"J^nny,  run  down  to  the  door,  and  tell  the  boy  you 
will€ee  passing  to  come  up  here  immediately,"  she  said, 
.    excitedly.  .  ' 

•  Jennie  disappeared,  and  soon  returned  with  Master 
Carl  looking  considerably  amazed,  not  to  say  frightened|^ 
at  this  unexpected  summons.    .  ^^ 

"  Carl,  what  time  do  you  return  to  the  island  ?"  askedi 
Sibyl.  , 

"  Right  off— soon's  ever  I  get  some  tea,  and  sugar,  atid; 
coffee,  and  starch,  and  things  for  Aunt  Tom."  1 

"  Will  you  take  me  over  when  you  are  going,  Carl  ?" 
"  Yes'm,  if  you'll  not  be  long  getting  ready  ;  'cauWj 
here's  a  storm  a  comin',  an'  no  matter  how  hard  I  pulj^  ' 
^.    it'll  be  dark  afore  we  get  there,"  said  Carl. 

"I  will  be  ready  in  five  minutes,  and  wait  for  you  off"^ 
the  beach..    That  will  do,"  said  Sibyl,  rising,  to  dfm  tluy 
interview.  .    Tf'    ' 


■  =1.  * 


•• 


% 

>-l. 


wEAt  0^um  itStT. 


\i-* 


a^ 


^\ 


Carl  hurried  out  to  fulfill  his  coifittilssiofls  for  Mrs. 
Tonii  and  SibyL  went  to  her  fooni  to  dress,  and  take  leave 
of  Mrs.  Orantvrell.  ^S 

"Self-willed —  self-willed  !  said  the  good  old  lady,  so r- 
roWfully,  a:s  she  kissed  her.  "  Well,  good-by,  my  love. 
Remember,  I  half  expect  you  back  to-morrow." 

"  And  I  shall  certainly  try  not  to  disappoint  ^ou,  "said 
Btbyl,  as  she  quitted  the  room. 

She  took  her  way  to  the  b^ach,  where  she  was  soon 
Joined  by  Carl,  who,  muttering  an  inarticulate  something 
about  having  a  "  stunner  of  a  storm  pretty  soon,"  pushed 
off  and  took  the  oars,  and  under  his  practiced  hands  the 
boat  w^  soon  flying  like  a  bird  through  the  sparkling 
waves. 


CHAPTER  XX. 

WHAT    CAME   NEXT. 

"  Attd  oh  Ihe^^midhight  air  atosft 
That  awful  dying  en', 
That  echoed  nfrough  the  lonely  house 
Vibrating  to  the  sky." 

**Tr*Hfi  sky  was  rapidly  darkening.  The  wind  came 
.  1  wailing  with  a  low,  menacing  sound  over  the  waters. 
The  sun  sank  red,  fiery,  and  threatening  in  the  far  west, 
and  the  scared  water-fowl  went  skimming  over  the 
troubled  face  of  the  bay,  sending  full,  wild  shrieks,  as  if 
to  herald  the  coming  storm.  The  darkened  ^ea  heaved 
and  ttissed,  asjf  struggling  With  an  inward  foe^and  the 
little  boat  quivered  in  every  joint  ta  it  flew  civ«r  the 
glassy  waves. 


^    ',1c  ' 


.%^^^^- 


^f.^.:*;;^^^^^... 


f 


i^. 


t>!a4r  cAir^  jri|i: 


ids 


Sibyl's  eyes  kindled  as  they  surveyed  the  »raiid  but  ^^ 
terrible  beauty  of  the  scene.  On  the  east,  as  Far  as  thb 
eye.  could  see,  spread  out  the  boundless,  teipestuout  -* 
ocean  ;  on  the  west  stretched  a  long  line  of  coast,  form, 
ingasortof  semi-circle,  lost  on  one  side  ih/ the  dense 
primeval  forest,  that  as  yet  the  woodman's  ice  had  not 
desecrated,  and  on  the  other  jutting  out  in  i/ wild,  roclcV  .« 
promontory.  On  the  south  was  the  island/ which  tHw  | 
were  now  approaching,,  looking  a  mere  dark  speck  in  the  f 
vast  and  mighty  deep.  '  '^ 

"  If  we  don't  have  a  scrfeamfet  of  i  storrti  to-night  ydil  " 
may  say  I  don't  knoiv  nuihing  'boUt  the/weather,"  said 
Carl,  pausing  for  a  moment  to  wipte  the  prespiratipii  oft 
his  heated  brow,  and  glance  at  the  darkening  face  of  the 
sky.  "Such  a  one  as  we  ain't  had  sinZe  the  night  me 
and  Mr.  Drummond  and  Lenj  saved  the  man  aUd 
woman  what  was  washed  ashore  irom  the  wreck." 

"  That  was  an  awful   night,"  said  Sibyl,  still  keeping 
her  kindling.eyes  fixed   on  the  glooi 
sea  and  sky]  "  but  how  splendid,  ho; 
glorious  this  prospect  is.     Oh,  I  lavg 
grand  jubilee  of  the  earth,  when  sea,/an 
ning,  and  storm,  all  join   in  the  ^lor/ous  hymn  of  "the 
tempest.     Oh,  the  nights  that  I  haVe  siient  on  sea  when 
nothing  was  to  be  seen  but  the  black  pkll  of  the  heavetis 
above,  rent  evfery  infant  by  the  forked  lightning,  .while 
the  crash  of  the  thunder,  and  th^  roar  of  the  wind  and 
waves  mingled  together  in  the  Sublime  refrain,  and  cue  . 
ship  went  dfivrng  on,  as  if  matd.     Oh,  for  those  tn^itki 
again  !  when  my  very  soul  was  inspired  by  the  unspc       " 
able  glory  of  the  scene."  /  /    .  ■         j  %./f| 

Her  tvild  fcyes  shbne  and  gashed  like^,  and  her 
cheeks  flushed  with  the  impetuiosity  with  whM^he  spok«u 


grandeur  of  the 
hiagnificent,  how 
storm.  I  love  the 
4  wind,  and  light- 


.f  W^i 


_^.-<;fe.^t*' 


i"'T' 


She  was  not  addre^sinij  Carl,  she  was  not  thinkinir  of 
Wm,  she  did  not  even  see  him  ;  iier  whole  soul,  and  heart 
and  mind,  were  filled  with  the  present  scene,  and  the 
remembrance  of  those  she  had  seen. 

Carl  stared  for  an  instant  at  the  wild  girl,  wondering 
if  she  had  «ane  mad,  but  Sibyl  recovered  from  her 
Qomentaiy  trance,  and  asked,  quietly  : 

'  -^"'^^  ''°"  '^*°^  "^^  ^'^^  ""^^^  ^*>e  island  before  the 
•tonn  bursts  ?" 

"  Ves,  I  guess  so.  We'll  be  there  in  'bout  ten  minutes 
now.    Oh,  by  granny,  here  it  comes  I**^l 

A  low.  sullen  rumbling,  the  herald  of  the  coming 
itorm,  was  heard,  and  two  large,  heavy  drops  of  rain  fell 
pattering  on  the  thwart.  ^      ^ 

"Lor*  sakes  I  ef  the  squall  comes  noW  we'll  go  to  tlie 
^ttom  lorsartin,"  said  Carl,  pulling  with  the  energy  of 
desperation,  until  the  perspiration  stood  in  great  globules 
on  his  brow. 

But  the  storm,  as  if  in  pity  for  that  frail  bark  and  its 
inmates,  held  up  a  few  momei^  longer,  and  Cai^  uttered 

Vittj"      """'P^''*^''^^^"'  into  a  little  natural  harbor 
•shclt^d  by^  overhanging  rocks,  immediately  below  the 
lodge. 

"Let  the  storm  come,"  he  cried,  waving  his  cap  in 
p^pultatioii. ;  "  we're  all  right  as  a  trivet  i^ow." 

And  as  he  spoke  his  last  words  were  lost  in  the  roar 
PI  the  wind  and  sea. 

Safe  and  sheltered  as  it  was  in  the  little  cove,  the  boat 
Quivered  for  an  instant,  like  a  reed  in  the^blast,  before  the 
first  funoos  crash  of  the  storm.  Had  it  burst  upon  them 
a  few  moiAents  sooner  they  would  instantaneously  have 
|»een  swam^d. .  Bqt  Carl,  benaing  Wore  the  furious 
.■      ii      '  / 


m 


■  % 


->*-} 


"  "^i^^l 

m 

W^^^^^^^^^^^^^^IK^f^l^^ 

1 

P-" 

■                     WHAT   OAMW 

NEXT. 


kn 


gale,  drove  his  stanch  little  craft  ashore  in  tinmnh  -  a 

Sffrang  out.  followed  by  Sibyl.  /    "^^  ***^<, 

The  rain  was  falling  heavily  and  th^  is,.^  ki  * 

moun.a,n.kid.  until  she  stood^  he  dlr  ^f  r      'k".?? 
I-odge,  her  a„ces<ral  home."  *",°'  Caoipbeir, 

Aun""' Mt!/ref  visued^rhrr' '''^t """  ''""'^^^  ">^  i 

<a.n,„ereah.e:j"^:l;^j^:^'^;^-  wheo  ..^ 
was  never  locked    Sih,.i    „  7  pa'^-aoor,  which    , 

leading  to  the  kitchen,  while  thJolH  h„  ,.     ?    ^°°'' 

would  fall' and  annmLTh"i\?°"^r  ^'^"^^  ^^«>' 
door,  and,  wet  dri^/oint  pl-T  '  '^''^'^  ^'^^^  °P«"«J  ^^^e 
seafonm   ch  T^^^'''^'''  "^crmaid  .rising  from  the 

sea-foam,  she  stood  before  her  two  as^onlsfeed  servants         i 

alarmed  satin  Ir/  7   '""''    '"'''''•      ^^"^'   i»«'«   ^^s    :.^ 
^  XU^^    T  ^^  P^sonaj^e,  .tending  before 


't^kiM-^^.  \ 


K 


'■;y,Tj«-_.-'  ,. 


•06 


WSAT  CAMS 


"    .-I    ■    ■  r..' 


tfiem,  her  wild,  black  bair  streathibg  in  disorder  down 
her  back,  Aunt  Moll  uttered  a  piercing  shriek,  and, 
springing  to  he^  feet,  rushed  over  ahd  threw  herself  into 
Lena's  arms,  with  tiic  cry  : 
'  V  "Ah,  it's  a  ghos' !  it's  a  ghos' t  Oh,  Lem,  sabe  yer 
poor,  ole  mudder  !    It's^r  young  missus'  ghos' !" 

And,  4error-stri^keti;*  Aunt  Moll  clung  shrieking  to 
Lem,  who  stood  unable  to  speak,  his  teeth  chattering 
with  terror^  ' 

■5 -'.Tlie  scene  was  so  ridiculous — Aunt  Moll's  terror,  and 
Lem's  frightened  face  and  distended  eyeballs— that  Sibyl, 
throwing  herself  into  a  seat,  could  scarcely  refrain  from 
laughter. 

At  this.  Aunt  Moll  ceased  her  shrieks,  an(}  looked  up, 
and  Lem  looked  at  her  in  Utter  bewilderment. 

••  It's  our  young  Miss  3ibyl,  herself,"  ventured  Lem, 
at  last.  •  A.  \  / 

"  Why^  of  course  it  is,"  said  Sibyl,  as  soon  as  she  could 
speak,  for  laughter.  "  Cotne,  Aunt  Moll,  I'm  tto  more  of 
a  ghost  than  you  are  yourself.  Don't  look  ,^o  terribly 
afraid  of  me." 

"Miss  Sibyl,  is  it  you?"  ^aid  Aunt  Moll,  beginning 
cautiously  fo  approach,. and  eying  her  askance.  "Well, 
I  'clare  to  gracious,  ef  I  didn't  fink  'twas  your  ghos',  Miss 
Sibyl  I"  said  Aunt  Mdll,  drawing  a  deep  breath.  '*  What 
could  take  you  out  sich  a  stormy  night  ?" 

"Cnrl  Hei^ey's  boat,  brought  me  here;  I  wanted  to 
see  you  and' Leni,  Aunt  Moll.  And  now,  Lem,  go  and 
make  a  fire  in  my  becl-roOm,  to  air  it  ;^  I  am  going  to  stay 
here,  all  night."     t 

"  S'p^t  yoy'll  have  to  Should  like  to  know  who 
could  go  out  ag'in  dis  night.  Oh,  Loi^  a  massy-sakes ! 
Will  yttl"  said  Aunt  Moll,  tteiSbliBg; 


jist  mftfitt  u»  4tA, 


y<r 


V: 


waay  t!ij«r  jj^j^ 

".US'  be  hungry  ••  Id  A^L  M  f,     J""-  ^"PP".  «•"«  yer, 
place.  ^     ®"'"^"""  M"".  approaching  , he  fire. 

But  at  that  instant,  a  vivid  flash  of  liffhtnin-r  hl,„-i 
down  the  w.de  chimney,  and  oid  MoU  sprf^"^^":::^  . 

said  the  old  woman.  q„„ki™  i '  .^^^J,;""  '  »'«'«<'  y"'" 
"Oh,  don't  mind,  Aunt  MnH-l-m&i 

.King."  said  3iby..     '..  And  h^^'^3?.™  Z^Zu"'-- 
to  my  room."  "^ y^^^  ^em  ,  so  I  mil  go'..„ 

"Oh,  Miss  Sibyl,  m{,y  I  go  too  ?    'Deed  an'  'dt^d  Y  iM^ 

"  Certainly,  Aunt  MoH,  if  you  think  voii  Wfil  k       ^ 
safer  with  me,  you  are  welcome  to  come     B..^  ^""^ 

should  be  placed  in  a,  higher  power     L  ll  ^T  ''"'' 
storm  alone  can  help  yo^/>  ^^yl,  g'^r  ve^  '    "  ''^^" 

Yes.  M.ss  Sibyl,  I  know^  all  dat,  an'  I  does  tru.'  \. 
Providence;  but,  'pears  like  .I'd  feel  safer  ^fr  ,  ?^ 

you.     Seems  like  de  danger  wou  dn'r  h  ^'  '^*'*' 

drefful,"  said  Aunt   Molf'    W  I  al.    "^  °'""  "°''  «» 
skeeredo'Iigbtnid'."  ',  *"^"   ^!»  »^'»% 

"Very  well ;  cottie,  then,"  said  Sibyl.  f 

Ai»dA»*i.iMol!,itUddf  the  tJefmhsio«,m  H  dftaalc^  * 


wrS 


OAMB  jmxr. 


and  preceded  Sib,l  through  the  hall,  and  up  the  pi^llshed 

his  will  l^r'  *  «'^"«'"«f '-''  leaving  ten.,  o^uchCio^ 
his  will,  sole  possestor  of  the  Iciichen. 

the  dnmn ''*' *  ^;'^^' ^'^^  ^'"'"^'^8^  °°  '»»«  health,  which  . 
he  damp,  unused  rooms  required,  rendering  the  fliclcer- ^* 
»ng  tajlow  candle  superfluous. 

~id"s1bH  ''*''"  "''^''"  ^°'"^  '°  '^'^P'  ^""'  **°"^" 

^         Sibyl  assebted  to  this  arrangement;  and,  Ilftin/the 

But  Aunt  Moll  coming  in.  held  up  her  hands  in^Lech 
less  terror  at  her  hardihood.  >«»pcccii, 

;'Settin'  at  de  winder,  an'  it  a  lightnin' ("  she  ex- 

ttrfod^'^^K  '''^^'   '''"^^'  ''^'•^  ^«  mo3'  re^Le 
th,ng  to  do  as  eber  was.     Put  down  de  curtain,  chile,  an' 
go  to  bed  ;  It's  a  temptin'  o'  de  Lor',  dat  ar."  .- 

a^  safetta^  in'Z!'^"^   ''^"'•'  '^^  "'^^^  ^  ^' '«  ^^^ 

•nn'r  "'  *'  *'"'?'  /^"^  '  y°"  doesn't  know.  It's  wrong 
aud  likewise  sinful,  to  sit  down  a  Ipolcin'  at  de  storm^' 
persisted  the  old  woman.  '  * 

But  Sibyl,  wiihout  paying  the  slightest  attention  still 
sat  gazing  out,  while  Aunt  Moll  from  entreating  to"  k  to 
scolding,  which  was  likevVise  unheeded 

vrZ^"^  ^""'"  '""^"^'  ^""'  ^*°^*  •"  «^'d  her  young  mis- 

rea^  at  last,  impatiently  faci.g  round,  tired  ol  hlr  ng 

the  garrulous  old  woman.  "caring 

Andxat^his  unprecedented  rrbuke,  Aunt  Moll  sat 
dovvn  behMTc  the  fire  in  mortified  silence. 

cJir."^^^!™*"^.'^^'^  ^^^""^'^  impatience  to  meet 
Christie,  and  \^  ,rhat  meaning  lay  couched  in^  1" 


WBAT   OAMB    IfBXT.  jj^ 

terioa.  not^  JBIbyl  found  herself  forced  to  wait  u«tfl' 

plrL  "*  onhe  «a  on  ,he  rook,  „as  d«  enw"' 

of  horror  that  no  tffort  could  shake  off.     She  f.r^I  ,f 
rouse  herself,  ,o  reason  herself  ou.iof  the  ,uDaF«W 
dread  that  was  overwhelming  her  bS  in  vai^    *   *^ 
les«  tfrr.^r  k»j    1      L    ,  .     **       '    ^  '°  vam.     A  name* 

Us  Uld      '  '^^  '^"^^'^'  '^^  ^-«'  -d  -u'd  not  Velat 

An^".K  ""^  ^^'^^  *'°"'"'  "^"""^  °"'  «"^  tnidnight  approached 
And  the  storm   without  seemed  to   have  shrieked  „!.; 

breathing  sound^ardr/tt^uXhe";!':""  ""  """: 
own  thoughts,  Sibyl  rose  and  prepared  herself  for  h*rf 

whif  .t'*""-"'"  '"o""  '^gned  within  the  old  hodM 
wh  le  the  storn,  without  was  still  sullenly  grumbUnt 
<X^V^L  "'Wnigh,  and  Sibyl  l.y^ith  ^^nin 


■Si 


...-4  *,     ^ 


front  door  burtt  violently  open,  ftnd  through  the  lilent 
house  arose  the  wild,  terrific,  appalling  shrielc  oi  **  Mur- 
der I"  7 


.^ 


CHAPTER  XXI.i^ 

THAT   NIOHT. 


"Conve,  mmdaess  I  come  with  me,  senteleM  death  I 
■  >'         I  cannot  suffer  this  I    Here,  roclcy  wall,  j 

•  '''   ^     Scatter  these  brains,  or  dull  them  I" 

Dk  iikoimrORO. 

ABOUT  an  hour  before  the  storm  burst  upon  the 
island,  Edgar  Courtney,  the  victim  of  his  own  dia- 
/:^^      boHcal  passions,  reached  it  unseen  and  unobserved. 

*'Yoii  will  await  my  return  hJire,"  he  said,  as  he  wasf    - 
moving  away.     "  I  must  be  back  in  N before  morn- 

"Doft't  know  'bout  that,"  said  the  boy  who  bad  taken 
him  ov^r ;" there's  an  awful  storm  rising;  but  if  you 
ain't  afeared  to  venture,  I  ain't." 

Mr.  Courtney  glanced  at  the  dark,  ^ullen  sky,  but 
^hat.^was  the  storm  without  compared. with  the  storm 
within  ?  Leave  the  island  he  musi  l)eforinnorning,'so  he 
replied :  ,       '^  ' 

"I  must  go  back,  let  it  storm  as  it  will.  You  can 
remain  here  sheltered  under  these  rocks  till  I  come  t>ack." 

And    wrapping    his   cloak    around    him,  he    moved 
swiftly  away,  and  concealed  himself  behind  some  over- 
hanging trees  to  a^^ait  tlie  result. 
^^  TtojifOt'  where  he  stood  commfuided  4  trie#  of  the  tea 


t^j0/. 


i.^J:jMM^i^i 


tprUaAM  bi 


i 


TBAf     NT9M7, 


OB 


all  itdef.    And,  therefore,   when   In  tht  deepening 
glootn,  some  hours  after,  he  saw  a  boat  approach  the  isin, 

■     •    '       '  a  aingltt 


he  had  not 


■•^  ■ 


containing  the   form   of  a  woman, 
doubt  AS  to  who  that  woman  was. 

Oh,  the  demoniac  took   that   his  face  wor^  ^  that 
>  instant  I     His  face  upturned  to  the  blcalc  light  was  »«|of  ^ 

4tj*^  fiend.  '^^'■■ 

Blinded  by  his  passions,  he  did  not  pbscrve, as  tttllj 
calmer  moment  he  might  have  done,  even  in,  the  gloom, 
>     the  difference  betweeW  this  tall  figure  and  that  of  his  wife. 
He  only  saw  a  woman\  landing  on  the  isle,  springing  up* 
,-    the  rocks,  ftffd  disappeajri"ff  »"  ^^^  darkness,  and  who  bat 
Laura  would  hdvc  vcnttired  to  the  isle  that  stormy  night. 
When  the  night  fell  in  more  than  Egj'ptian  darki^ecfH 
jiccompanicd  by  wind,  ai\d  lighttiing,  and  rain,  he  made 
his  way  blindly  thrbughiWtl  to  the  trysting-place  ;  and, 
*"    sheltered  behind  a  friendly  rock^  he  crouched  down  like  • 
panther  waiting  for  it&  prdy.       ?      1 

"She  will  not  come \inuhis  storm — she  cannot;  jrotl 
will  wait  in  vain,"  said  the  voice  of  Reason^  faintly  trying^ 
„  to  make  itself  heard. 

"  She  will  come--she  will  !"  said  Jealousy.  "  Sl^e  hat 
braved  the  storm  to  come' to  the  island  ;  and,  thpugk  fire 
should  fall  from  heaven,  she  will  1ccep  ^her  tryst.  Wait ! 
wait !  and  you  will  have  your  revenge 


^ 


And  the  demon  voic<j  conquered. 


-'^H 


Meantime,  how  went' the  nig;ht  in  the  widow's  cottage? 

When — wet,  dripping,  soaked  through— Carl  reached 
the  cottage,  his  firs^  care  was  to  change  his  wet  clothes, 
and  seal  himself  at,  the  table,  wherfc  a  smoking  supper 
awaited  him.  .       ^    ■ 

Mrs.  Tom  held  up  her  haadi  ill  wonder  ai^^  UMUpp 


'  "*■< 
'  '^1^'' 


H 


)t.s^.MZ^SLL^akJm:t 


»  V 


ncjr  ifi0MT. 


nient  when  the  hciird  that  Sibyl  had  braved  all  that 
furiout  storm  to  come  lo  the  isle. 

"  The  girl  must  be  clean  cm»y,"  she  ejaculated,  "  to 
venture  on  the  stormy  sea  such  a  night  I  «ido  wo^er, 
though,  what  brought  ^iss  Sibyl  here  to-night  ?" 

'  Dunno,"  said  Carl»  speaking  with  his  mouth  full  of 
griddJecalce.  ";She  was  talking  sort  o*  craay  lo  the  boat, 
'Spect  she  thought  that  Mr.  Drummond  wds  here." 

Christie,  whose  >hk<^6ngers  were,  as  usual,  flying 
busily,  as  she  piled  her  needle  suddenly  flushed  to  the 
temples,  and  then  grew  paler  thj^n  before.  S/U  knew 
what  had  brought  Sibyl  to  the  island,  though  she  had 
hardly  fancied  she  would  have  ventured  <nUmi  such  a 
storm.  .     *^        ,^-  . 

"Oh,  I  wish  it  had  been  clear  to-night  f'*  she  thought, 
lifting  her  head,  and  listening  anxiously  to  the  howling 
tempest. 

Lem,  true  to  his  promise,  had  faithfully  delivered 
Drummond's  note  to  Christie  unobserved.  But  would  Ag 
come  in  all  thisi^m  ?      : 

Some  vagu6  Tumor  had  reached  her  ear  that  Miss  • 
Campbell;  the  beauty  and  heiress.  Was  soon  to  be  the 
^|)ride  of  Willnrd  Drummond.  She  did'  not  beffeve  it ;  it 
was  too  mt^strous,  too  dreadful ;  the  bare  t>ossibllity  of 
•uch  a  thing  was  maddening.  But  Sibyl  loved  him,  and 
might  cherish  hopp§  that  could,  never  be  realized;  and 
Christie  felt  It  h^]*|j|^ty,  despite  her  promise)  to  put  an 
ond  to  all  these  hop3|m|^nd  forever,  by  proclaiming 
their-fliarriage.     Thai  ^°* 

tunity,  and  sent  the 
Campbell.      ^ 

By  this  time  Carl  Itlehle^had  dispatched  his  supper ; 
audi  laboring  under  a  vague  impression  that  iKime  one 


ii$*ljp3  seized  the  first  oppor- 
fe  mei 


kCied  by  Captain 


i~*   M 


..;»■ 


-"'■-» -3.'""  ;■ "  'i 


nond  ^uJpuim  ortl  t 


moBT. 


,  t»t' 


would  be  In  P^fMr^M'^rfy  him  off  by  force,  a,  Mr. 
DrMinmond  <><^u2||or)l  prevlonk  occasion,  h«  made  a 
Jiasty  cxitup  tlWripier  to  bed,  firmly  resolving  not  to  go 
,out  %ayja|apugh  hx^vX  Tom  should  pulfcvcry  luitr  out 
of  his  Wiprr 

And  when  M  ^as  gone,  Mrs,  Tom.  having  secured 
the  windows  and  doors,  drew  up  her  wheel;  and  sat  down 
to  spin.  And  Christie,  with  ^hcclts  flushed,  and  eyet 
bright  with  anxiety  and  impatience,  seWcd  on  in  silence, 
replying  vaguely  and  at  random  to  the  stream  of  small- 
talk  kept  up  by  Mrs.  l^om. 

There  were  many^anxious  thoughts  passing  through 
the  mind  of  the  young  girl.  Why  had  Wiilard  beca 
absent  for  so  long  a  time  ?— why  had  he  appointed  this 
^strange  midnight>ceting  ?— would  he  venture  on  the  ^a 
in  night  and  stortn  ;  and,  if  he  came,  wfiat  could  his  visit 
and'notc  portend  ?  llxi  manner  had  chat^d  so  of  late, 
ihDt,  in  spite  of. herself,  the  conviction  that  he  already 
repented  of  his  hasty  marriage  forced  itself  upon  her  with 
a  {fang  like  the  bitterness  of  death.  ...^^, 

'•Oh,  I  might  have  known,'  was  her  inward  cry, 
»  v'lat  he,  so  rich,  so  handsome,  possessing  the  love  of  ono 
•*  beautiful  hs  §%1  Campbell,  could  never  be  content 
nil  poo^ric  me  !  Oh,  I  .mijrlit  have  known  he  would 
tire  of  me ;  but  I  \vas  crazed,  and  believed  all  he  tofd  mc. 
Something  warned  mc  it  would,  sooner  o^r  kter\come  to 
this;  but.  now  that  it  /las  come,  it  d^Jw  "riot  mak\  it  any 
easier  to  bear."  X--? 

V  Well,"  said  the  voice  of  Mrs.  Tom,  at  this  insfant 
breaking  upon  her  reverie,  as  she  stopped  her  wheel  with 
a  jerk  and  looked  sharply  into  Christie's  facei-"  I  would 
lilce  to  know  what's  got  into  you  to-night !  Here  Vvk 
^kcd  ydu  |inr9(s  hlctsed  times  to  hand  mt  that  the» 


■0 


^ 


\  ' 


^ 


■■■-1:: 


•.iL^ 


wn 


-■*:- 


^^- 


ih^\.,-:J>\ 


^^- '  ;i 


'■nl- 


%T  !"'P   -' 


;^Jtff' "'  (-v,  t'Aj,/  •._. 


C3i? 


'V---'    ^ 


^♦, 


f5i4T    iKfff«ir 


•^r*f 


s-  *■*>; 


ft. 


gowod,  s^q'  you  don't  mind  me  any  more  tha^  if  I  was  tht 
ca|.  S^ose  it's  tlie  latest  fashion  not  to  answer ,  your 
eldjeWvvhen  tljey  speak  to  you  ?  What  is  tlie  mattei'  with 
tftCj^al?"  ■    ■■  ■.   „.    £;;■     ,._  -     --^  '  ' 

*  I  didn't  hear  you,"  faltered  Christie,  turning  scarlet ; 
**  nay  head  aches.  Please  excuse  me ;  I  didn't  mean  to 
9ffend." 

1*  Better  go  to  bed,  then,  if  you  head  aches.     Time  we 

/was  ail  in  bed,  for  that  matter.  No  usesittin'  up  a-vvastin' 

'^  9I  candles,  when  we  can  get  up  airly  in  the  morning  jist 

as  well.    Gemimi !  how  it  blows  !"  said  Mrs.  Tom,  as  she 

slipped  the  bands  o£t  her  wheel  and  carried  it  over  to  its 

ap6ustomed  corner. 

Glad  of  the  permission,   Christie  arose  and    beg^n 

V arranging  her  bed  on  the  wooden  settle  in  the  kitchen, 

where  §he  slept.    A1ful  Mrs.  Tom,  who  preferred»sleeping 

by  herself,  sought  her  own  couch,  where,  by  the  combined 

effects  of  a  light  heart  and  a  clear  conscience,  she  was 

<j|poa  in  the. land  of  dreams. 

Relieved  of  the  presence  of  the  inquisitive  old  lady 
Christie  wrapped  Herself  in  her  mantle,  tied  on  her  hood, . 
and  softly  opened  the  door.  The  storrif  was  at  its  height, 
and  tlje  sudden  entrance  of  a  rush  of  wind  and  rain,  sent 
all  the  loose  articles  lying  about,  whirling  through  the 
room.\ 

It  Wfas  awful  to  venture  out  in  such  a  storm  ;  but,  hajj 
the  tenttpest  raged  twice  as  wildly,  the  faithful,  loving 
child-wife  would  have  braved  it  all,  to  meet  him,  she 
loved.     \ 

Exerting  all  her  strength,  she  closed  the  dooj  after  her 
wjythout  arousing  the  sleepers,  and  quitted  the  house  she 
was  n^ver  destined  to  enter  more. 

Qn—ithrnt^grh  the  f^lli^ig'raint  the  d"*'"'""^  wind    I  he 


\ 


s^r : 


rmr  m&sT. 


vivid  lightnrag—she  plunged,  making  her  way  blindly 
through  it  ail.     It  was  well  she  knew  the  road  she  was 
traversing,  and  could  pursue  her  way  as  well  at  midnight 
as  at  noonday,  or  she  would  never  have  been  able  to  fok 
low  that  tortuous,  rocky  path. 

But.  shrinking,  and  blinded  by  the  rain,  at  times  sb*- 
was  forced  to  stop  and  cover  her  face  in  her  mantle  ;  and 
anon,  at  some  more  furious  blast  that  would  have  whirled 
her  away  as  though  she  had  been  a  feather,  she  grasped  ^ 
some  projecting  rock  or  tree,  to  protect  herself  from 
being  blown  over  the  crags;  but  still  she  toiled  on  to  her 
destination;  '   .? 

"Will  he  be  there?"  she !^id,  wildly,  "Oh,  if  after 
all  he  should  not  cortie !  It  seems  madness,  for  me  to 
expect  him  in  such  a  storm  ;  but,  if  he  should,  it  would 
never  do  for  me  to  be  absent.  Oh,  saints  in  heaven  f 
what  lightning,"  she  said,  as  pale  with  terror,  she  hid  her  * 
face  in  her  hands.         <  -  '  '; 

But  there  was  no  time  to  pause— even  now,  lie  might 
be  wailing  for  her,  on  the  beach  ;  and  still,  on  through 
,night,  and   rain,  and   storm   sh«?  pressed,   until   at  last,'"    .^ 
drenched,  dripping,  and  totally  exhausted,  she  gained  the     '  > 
wet,  slippery  beach.  ^i^-lC"  ^ 

Half  dead,  with  cold  and  exhaustion,  she  sank  on  «^:^^^| 
rock,  and  cowered  beneath  the  pitiless  blast.   .The  dull  ^'^^' 
booming  of  the  waves  near  sent  a  thrill  of  nameless  awe 
and  horror,  into  hervery  soul. 

She  could  not  long  sit  there,  exposed  to  the  peltings 
of  the  storm  ;  so,  wrapping  her  mantle  still  more  closely 
around  her,  she  rose  with  a  shiver,  and  strove  to  pierce 
through  the  thick  darkness,  in  search  of  that  loved  fonk. 

In  vain !    The  gloom  of  Hades  could  not  1^  dofp^  ~ 
"vibat^^vfaich  enveloped  every  object.  ^      ^^^ 


''■^'^^^^^^^^m:'^^^'^^^4M?^fi^-.HT.^  -M 


■    ■'■r^}f 


r^'f?*" 


ftis 


THAT    iriOBT. 


i,.*.' 


But,  at  that  instant,  there  came  a  flash  of  lightning', 
illuminating,  for  a  single  moment,  with  a  blue,  unearthly- 
glare,  the  tleak,  slippery  shingle,  and  revealing  the  black, 
heaving  sea,  witli  its  foam-crested  billows.  Nothing 
more.  As  far  as  she  could  strain  her  eyes,  no  living 
thing  but  herself,  stood  on  the  shore. 

"Oil,  why  does  he  not  come?"  was  her  heart's  agon- 
ized cry;  "  Does  he  not  know,  in  spite  of  storm  and  tetn- 
pest,  I  am  awaiting  him  here  ?" 

Another  flash  of  lightning,  revealing  the  dark,  deserted 
beach,  the  wildly  shrieking  ocean,  and  a  pair  of  gleaming, 
serpent-like  eyes,  watching  from  behind  a  rdck,  reveal- 
ing the  slight,  delicate  form  of  a  female  standing  alone 
on  the  shore. 

',  "  Oh,  he  will  not  come !  I  know  it !  Shall  I  stay  here 
longer,  or  shall  I  go  home!"  thought  Christie,  in  an 
agony  of  doubt. 

Still  another  lurid  blaze  of  flame  !    And  now,  looking 
up,  she  uttered  a  cry  of  joy  ;  for  the  tall  figure  of  a  man, 
wrapped  in  a  cloak,  was  seen  descending  the  rocks,  com- 
bing toward  her. 

"  Oh,  he  is  here  !  he  is  here  !"  was  her  joyful  cry. 
'/Dearest,  dearest  Will^rd  !  I  knew  you  would  come!" 
And  springing  forward  she  threw  herself  into  his  arms. 

He  did  not  speak— he  did  not  move— only  he  drew  a 
step  back  and  folded  his  arms  over  his  breast. 
-i!  "  Dearest  Willard  !  I  feared  you  would  not  come  ;  but, 
oh  1 1  am  so  glad  you  are  with  me  once  more  !"  And  her 
encircling  arrps  clasped  him  closer,  while  her  sunny  head 
sank  on  his  breast.  ^ 

With  the  storm  within  and  the  storm  without,  he 
heard  not,  heeded  not  the  name  of  Willard.    But  another 


■.nJf^  -  K 


■■m. 


1  *   i"  * 


rir^r  moHT. 


'Mf< 


with  the  shining,  golden  hair  of  his  faithlew  wife 

And  doBT,  for  tlie  first  time,  she  noticed  his'straoM  '^ 

W,    ,TT' '.'^^  °  """'"•     "^''y  ^°  y°"  "<"  =P«ak  to  me? 

Z:*.Sr!?'  *"""  '  '"""  •     *^'''  ""^«''.  '  lov-j  you 
^     HW  teeth  closed  together  with  a  galvanic  snapAis 

r      .T\u  '""^  something   within    the  folds  of  his 

cloak/with  a  convulsive  grasp.  " 

that'^i^nn'"^'  t^  '^T^  '^   ^'"^'  "°^  ^^^"  ^«  maintained 
tiiat  Strange  silence.  *" 

die  J  she  cried  out,  in  anguish  and  terror.   "  Oh,  indeed' I 
lov^you  better  than  any  one  in  the  world  !     I  would  die 
.  soofaer  than  offend  you  !"    ,  "'"?*« 

"Di^,  then  !••  fsiirly  shrieked  the  maddened  man -'dls: 
sniceyour  own  Jips  have  proclaimed  your  guilt  I"  And 
cl/uch.ng  her  fiercely  by  the  throat,  he  plunged  the  hid- 
d0n  knife  into  her  side.    ,  .  :^ 

/One  piercing,  tcrrific'shriek,  and  she  sank  writhinff 
yuvcring  at  his  feet  in  m.,rtal  agony.  And  the  wretch^' 
Jiianiac  above  her  unable  to  speak,  or  move,  or  think, 
.v.th  distending  eyeballs,  glazing  eyes-his  ghastly  face 
ICC  hat  of  the  dead.-hi3,reu.bling  hands  red  with  her 
i.fe-bloud-stood  rooted  i,>  the  gr  .uud.caring  not,feeU. 
not  the  mnous  storm  now.  .  '-i^ 

Was  she  dead  ?  Would  that  wild,  appalling  shriek*^ 
repeated  ?  He  listened,  palsied  wi^i  horror.  Naught  met 
his  ear  but  the  shrieking  of  the  warring  elements 


,i*^W 


Sefecaffie  a  blaa»  of  lightQioj^'  m 


i       ^       ^ 


w 


■    ^   '  jl 

mAT    NIGHT. 

though  heaven /and  earth  were  on  fire,  and  he  belield  that 
JHlle^  child-lik4  form  lying  stiff  and  rigid  at  his  feet,  the 
h^d  fallen  bjftck  ;  the  blue  lips  parted,. as  if  froip  them 
the  quivering  soul  had  taken  its  flight;  the  arms  lying 
limp  and  J^eless  by  her  side  ;  the  bright,  golden  hair, 
half  shading  the  cold,  beautiful  face,  on  which  tlie  piti- 
less rain  w/ldly  beat. 

All  hi^  jealousy,  his  hatred,  passed  away  with  that 
'pitiful  sigfit ;  and  the  passionate  love,  the  adoring  wor- 
ship hfs  heart  had  first  fclt'fuir  her  returned  like  a  swell- 
ing flooa*  The  memory  of  the  time  when  she  had  left 
home,  /nd  friends,  and  all,  to  fly  with  him— when  she 
-had  fir/t  been  his  loved  and  lovihg  bride— bright,  happy, 
Md  bekutiful— came  back  in  overwhelming  force.  And 
now  she  was  dead — dead  by  his  hand  1 

'♦  ph.  Heaven  !  what  have  I  done  ?  Oh,  my  wife  !  my 
wifc/T my  beautiful  murdered  Laura!  Oh,  what  have  I 
don;^  ?  My  love  !  speak— look  up  !  1  i\"e  for  me  once  more  ! 
Oh/she  is  dead  !  and  I  am  her  murderer  P'  And  with  a 
shriek  of  agony,  the  wretched  man  fell  prone  on  his  face 

c/side  her. 

But  now  there  came  another  sound  more  terrible  than 
\  else.     SjBPolIen  by  the  heavy  rain,  the  sea  was  risi/^  on 
ihe  island,.  ^^^ -^ 

With  the  roar  of  a  beast  of  prey,  the  furious  waves, 
/lashing  ihetijselves  into  foam,  rushed  upon  the  shore.  It 
recalled  the  miserable  assassin  from  his  frenzy  of  despair  ; 
Aod  ivith  the  instinct  ot  self-preservation  that  never 
deserts  us  while  life  remains,  he  seized  the  cold,  stark 
forxD,  and  fled  wildly  up  the  beach. 

But  just  then— had  the  infernal  regions  yielded  up 
their  ho^  to  pursue  him  ?— a  human  form,  bearing  the 
jSgujrji  of  awoman,  revealed  by  the  quick  flashes  of  light-  ^ 


■n^*'! 


1.A   : 


imjs:^    jtonmyo. 


*«.«*♦ 

«/ 


n'ng,  came  flyioK  toward  I,,™  1,  ' 

»g  in  .he  saLfhrwUd"""' ""  — -^ed  hair  ..^„:  " 

madness,  1 '^'".8'»"»S  >»ieh  the  fires  a* 

'ng  cry  of  •'  Murder  I  murdi"  '  ,h  '  ^'''^f'  "^^'^  *  ^^^  ' 
^^e  raging  of  ^he  storm    she  fled   •  ^'"u"^  ^^^^  ^^'^^ 
Campbell's  Lodge.  •  ^"^  '°  ^^^  direpdon  of 

•That  appallinjj  crv   fh«*  o    *  ,  ^     '     -- 

iast  spark  of  reas^  ^omhlTt  ^PP^"^^^'^*  drove  W   ^ 
perfect  yell  of  terror,  hXa^^^t^^  ^'•«^°-     WitfrT 
-ockvandfled  from   he  spot  fs  f  „  '''''^!  '"••^*'°  «»  the 
of  blood.  'P°'  ^«  »f- pursued  by  the  avenger:; 


CHAPTER.  XXII. 

NEXT   MORNING. 


¥%; 


-"'vr 


-^M 


^4 


L'i^e  the  Phantasro?^'i&-Xi^ .. 

Y   ^  SHAKESPEAWti  "  "-«?^| 

W'™/rae:t\tL^^^--r''-'-^ 

W^^elf,  his  crime,  .hr'ear^h  anH.'^  "'^''  fl««J-h«in8 

fc-m.  clutching  his  brrs^itn""""^  """"^ore b,h„l3 
-  ^'jo  tear  ilc.  his  bl^!:.^-  f!!^.!'-°-!-"''e  finge.^, 


"Sb 


On  liii  J-Zr^r     °^""^''^^'<^«g»^yandn.m.u"-   — 


to   ..T'Lli.,.i, 


■-i    -. 


^^: 


m 


4 


\1> 


iViLSi'     MVUmNG. 


f 


W  '''■^^'. 


-  Panting,  tdtterins;.  exhausted,  he  lell  neav   y 
on  the    g?ound-shadrtering,   gasping,  collapsed.      The 

the"  in  cc'LTo  f.11.  .u,d  .ho  u,ib-l;ty  waters  began  sal- 

''"4nmUr:Srr°a,-  prone  on  .,.e  .jonnd 
dea^  to  evcytlnng  above,  around.  ab„.u  .un,,  wth  il.at 

gnawins.  -••"-■>'''!;!7^^;:'  L'?  rtucd  away,  .ho 

tllbrlglJ^^  gloriously,  grandly  sUedd.ng  her  soft, 
Morning  was  near  at  hand,  and  must  not  find  htm  at  the 


"  Whali^  is  to  T>e  axjnel 


>A' 


1    \  V?  - 

•,lt  '*■. 


'.'   / 


ITEXT     MORNINQ. 


m 


through  alLthe  distracting  rush  of  grief,  horror,  and 
remorse.  "  She  will  be  missed  ;  and  if  I  am  found  here  I 
xvill  be  taken  for  the  murderer,  and-"  A  shuddering 
spasm  closed  the  sentence. 

He  rose  to  his  feet,  but  tottered,  so  he  could  hardly 
walk  ;  and,  as  if  hurried  by  some  uncontrollable  impulses 
took  the  road  leading  to  the  beach.  *- ,  "^ 

He  reached  the  spot,  where,  in  his  first  wild  impulse  of 
terror,  he  had  dropped  the  body ;  but,  far  beyond  that. 
the  waves  had  risen,  and  the  lifeless  form  was  gone-^ 
sweptaway  by  the  boiling  waters.  *  ' 
.  A  groan,  so  deep  and  hollow,  that  it  seemed  like  rend- 
ing  h.s  very  heart,  broke  from  his  lips  at  the  sight-his 
muMcred  Laura  had  found  a  grave  in  the  boundless  sea 

A  footstep  behind  met  his  ear,  and  in  terror  he  turned 
to.  fly  ;    but,  seeing    only  the   half-witted   boy,  who  had  *' 
brought  him  over,  he  restrained  himself  and  stood-still. 

Even  through  the  dull   mist  of  his  clouded  brain,  the  . 
ghastly  face  before  him,  struck  terror  to  the  boy's  soiiK ' 
And  well  it  might;  for,  with  that  white,  detith-like  face., 
branded  with  a  look  of  unutterable  horror  ;  those  ashe^' 
ips,  sunken,  colfepsed  cheeks,  glazing  eyes,  shudderinir 
form,  and  trembling  hands,  he  looked  like  a  corpse  gal- 
vanizcd  for  a  moment,  into  a  hideous  semblance  of  life. 

The  words  he  hud  been  ^ibout  to  say,  died  on  the  boy's 
lips  ;  and,  with  distended  mouth,  and  eyes  all  agape  with 
surprise  and  fear,  he  stared  at  him  in  stupid  bewildei^ 
ment. 

"Well?"  came  at  length,  from  Courtney's  lips,  in  a" 
vo.cc  so  hollow,  that  it  seemed  to  issue  from  an  cmptv 

coin  n  .        *^  V 


Z.!!!!Im  ^^^  ^^^^g''?"  said  thte  bQ^  *'lrightfey^^ 


-Ihfi^storm  l£ 


V 


'-i:.  %'-'W{ 


, ,  A 


V 


"<» 


if•,l■^  ^;JS»J.  -ii^  ."i* 


^,*** 


ii* 


I  It* 


,(-1 


NEXT     M0HN1N&. 


\f#'     "What  do  you  want?"    again  came   in  deen,  husky 
tones  from  his  livid  lips.  ] 

,  f  "Why,  you  said  you  wanted  to  get  back  aioij^  mbm- 
Ittg,  and  I  reckon  we  can,  start  now.  The  sea  runs  pretty 
ji^h,  yet,  but  I  guess  there  ain't  no  danger," 

Like  a  man  in  a  dream,  Courtney  passed  his  hand' 
acrossliis  brow,  as  though  to  clear  away  a  cloud.  Again,  ^ 
^elf-preservation,  "  the  first  law  qf  nature,"  rose  before 
him  avercoming  every  other  feeling.  His  eyes  wandered 
"  jonechanically  to  the  fatal  spots,  and  hettirned  away  with  a 
shudder. 

"Can  we  reach  N — r-  before  qjorning  breaks?"    he 

asked. 4.,.        ' ■■.... ^   : 

"  I  reckon  so  ?"  w^s  the  answer,  "  if  we  stfirt  now." 

**  Do  you  think  there  is  any  dabger  ?"  » 

"Don't  think  there  is.  You'll  l3to.apt  to  be  sea-sick, 
though,"  said  the  boy  ;  "  waves  run  poioty  high.  But 
what  makes  you  speak  so  hoarse,  ami  look  so.  scared,  as 
if  you'd  seed  a  ghost  ?  P'r'aps  you  did,  too ;  they  say 
there's  one  up  in  that  old  house,  there." 

"  Let  us  go  f  said  Courtney,  unheeditig  hjis  words,  as 
fee  folded  his  cloak  closer  around  him,  and  started  in  the 
direction  of  the  boat. 

The  boy  shufHed  after  him,  to  where  the  boat  now  lay; 
high  and  dry  on  the  strand,  requiring  the  united  efforts  of 
both,  to  launch  her  into  the  water.  , 

''jPrecious  hard  time  I  had  of  it,  all  night  in  the 
Storm,*-  said  the  lad,  as  he  took  the  oars  ;  "  got  soaked 
right  through  ;  and,  by  golly  !  if  there  wasn't  some /thun- 
der !  I  never  wants  to  be  out  such  a  night  agaiojy 

The  Boat  was  pitching  and  tossing  wildly  on  the  heav- 
ing waves,  threatening  each  moment  to 'capsize  ;  but 

CourtDey>  fost  to  alt  sense  of  personal  daogcc,  sat  sttiv- 

-...-_ ....,_^__    __  r  '       ■      ■  — — — 


■    */^     '■  '    .  .^,, . 

ingtp  dispel  the  cloud  of  horror  and  remorse  from  his  '  ^fi 
mmt^  and  answer  the  momentous  question  :  «  What  is  to 
be  ^one  next  ?"  His  wife  Would  assuredly  be  missed. 
Ho^  was  her  sudden  disappearance  to  be  accounted  for? 
t  ^eeraed.  probable  that  nqne  but  Captain  CampbcU 
kn^w  of  her  intended  visit  to  the  isle,  save  the  boy  wbo 
had  brought  her  over  ;  and,  in  waiting  on  the  darjc,  dan- 
gerous  beach,  in  such  a  wild  tempest,  with  the  advancinit 
tide  rising  on  the  shore,  what  would  be  more  natui^ 
than  that  she  had  been  accidentally  overtaken,  and  sweat 
away  by  the  rapid  rising  of  the  waves  ?  " 

The  mist  was  passing  away  from  his  mind,  his  bum 
mg  fever  of  excitement  wds  abated  by  the  cool  sea-bree?. 
and  every  faculty,  preternatu rally  sharpened  by  the  f. 
of  being  discovered  as  a  murderer,  was  at  work.    Of  t^e 
stupid  lad  who  had  brought  him  to  the  island  |ie  felt  no 
fear.     Before  the  coming  day's  sun  had  set  he  would  in 
all  probability,  have  forgotten  all  about  it,  and  none  elsb 
knew  of  the  visit.    He  would  endeavor  to  hide  all  traces*' 
of  guilt,  and  be  the  most  zealous  in  the  search  after  the 
lost  one.     Perhaps,  too,  suspicion  might  fasten  on  Cap- 
tain   Campbell,    and     t/ien    how    amply    would    he    be 
revenged  !     He  thought  of  the  note  appointing  the  me<it- 
mg,  and  felt  in  his  pocket  for  it,  but  It  was  gone.    No 
mauer-so  that  he  hitnself  was  not  criminated,  it  m^tereO,; 

Then  came  another  thought :  How  was  he4o  account 
Jor  his  absence  during  the  night?  It  seemed  scarcely 
probablcf  that  his  w^ife  had  told  any  of  tlie  inmates  of  t}4 
parsonage  of  ihcir  angry  parting  and  his  brutal  \blow— 
she  had  too  much  pride  for  that-and'  lliey  could^  easily 
be  made  to  bclfeve  that  sudden  business  had  called  him 
away.    Doubtless^  they  wo^^d    *'  '    • 


f , 


thbk  it  straogft  he  Iwt 


'4^    li 


9il4 


'  yEXT     MORNim. 


"^liot  told  them  before  going;  biit  as  he  had  already; 
acquired  a  character  for  eccentricity  from  his  gloomy 
reserve,  it  would  be  readily  set  down  to  that.  He  had 
business  at  Westport — he  would  go  there — remain  for 
some  hours,  and  return  to  N before  pight. 

,  His  plans  thus  rapidly  arranged,  he  proceeded  to 
carry  immediately  into  execution.  Lifting  his  head,  he 
said,  briefly  :  | 

"I  have  changed  my  mind.     I  will  not  go  to  N . 

Take  me  to  Westport."  ' 

Regarding  him  for  a  moment  with  his  customary 
vacant  stare,  the  boy,  without  a  word,  turned  the  boat  in 

,  the  direction  indicated.  '      ,i 

|i-    'The  rising  sun  was  reddening  the  orient  before  they 

-  reached  Westport.  And  Edgar  Courtney  having  paid  the 
boy,  dismissed  him,  and  sauntered  about  the  town  until 
the  business  of  the  day  would  begin. 

Gradually  the  streets  began  to  fill  ;  men  on  their  way 
to  their  daily  labor  passed  him  in  groups,  now  and  then 
stopping  to  gaze  in  /wonder  at  the  tall,  muffled  figure, 
pacing  through  the  streets  as  though  he  were  hastening 

.ipr  life  or  death.  *  ^ri 

He  noticed  this  scrutiny  at  last,  and  slackened  his 
rapid  strides,  muttering  inwardly  : 

i        "  This  will  never  do,     I  must  not  allow  my  feelings  to 

-.carry  me  away  thus.  I  must  be  calm,  or  I  may  be  sus- 
pected,    Nothing  but  coolness  will  save  me  now." 

Turning  down  the  collar  of  his  cloak,  and  pusiiing  up 
his  hat,  that  the  cool  morning  air  might  fan  his  feverish 
brow,  he  turned  in  the  direction  of  the  Westport  House. 

The  door  had  jiist  been  bpened,  and  the  rooms  had 
that    dreary,   uncomfortable    look    large,   lonely  rooms/ 
always  wear  in  the  gray  dawn  of  thel,morniog.    a  yawn/ 


l^ii 


'^f'*' 

'W  " 


/eyes  fell  on  his  haggard  face  anri  1..  ^^^*"'  **  ^*' 

o  uT    ^        ,         °o"" ''*'^^  ^J^cl  wet  garment*  ,    -' 

.-.^      "Let  me  have*  priva.e  room  imraedS  •■  w.  L 
•  s!^""""'""'  to  the  waiter.  ^  "mraediMe^,   was  Ms 

'.'froI'i.UsuXUea.Z'  "f  ^^  ""'■""^  '-=<"^ 

^.o^rard-crtt™  .hr'eVhSr*'""'"''"^  ''-^' 

"  Light  a  fir»here  an^b   n        '""*  *  '^''*"'  *"<'  »'<»  •• 
of  Wrong  coffee*        ■  '  ^  ""*  "P  "  *"  "<«  «  o-P 

aeniltfrLt^er""  """'""'••  ^'"^"^'^  «  -=>.  - 
£S^^^^^^^^t-r-r^^-' 

to  dry,  he  throw  i.ilsdr?„  'hj""' °"  "^  .^'"""'^  f'^^^  "  %i 
-     ■""-.""t^  -°"-io„  of  the  pa'  ni^L':!  ,;",V°^  ""'^' 

tl.e  catastrophe  of  the  orlc'T'  "T'^"'"  '"  "'^  <"««">» 
the  tifeless  to™  of  his Tl'"^.  ''°""-  ^Sain  he  «.w 
feet ;  then  wZi  ^.tefo^ S  "'"  '^'"^''S'?'  «,"!» 
ghostly  apparition  of  the ts  e  witf  r""",';"'"  ^  »■« 
of  "murderer  '"  then  ,h^  „',T  l"'"'  '"--"ic shriek 
-an,  with  all  the  fearful  mT  ""^  ooffin,  the.  hang- 
death/would  rise  i„th   l,*^     P*'"""^'"  "'  'he  felon'. 


*  -  ■   ■ 


■'F' 


''•«  *<>:. 


'/r 


'.W>'ii:'#j|^. 


iWXr  I  MOBNINQ. 


imagination;  he  could  feel  the  ve^  ro^  ijncirclKng  his 
neck,  and  by  some  strange  contradicfion,  his  wife,  bright, 
beautiful,  and  happy  as  he  had  first  known  her,  stood 
smilingly  adjusting  it,  aqd  stranger  still,  he  felt  no.sur* 
past  at  seeing  her  th^re  ;  he  heard  the  fatal  signal  given, 
the  drop  sliding  from  beneath  hi-s  feet,  and  with  a  shriek 
of  terror  he  sprang  up  out  of  bed,  the  cold  perspiration 
sfeojrtiag  from  every  pore.  / 

"  Great  Heaven  !  am  I  never  to  lose  the  recollection  of 
that  fearful  night,, and  my  more  awful  crime?  Oh,  for 
the  tabled  waters  of  Le|;he  to  dVown  rect)llection  !  Bjlust 
I  forever  go  through  the  world  with  this  mark,  of  Ga^n  ? 
—this  red-hot  brand  of  murder  on  my  face,  as  well  as  on 
my  soul  ?  Saints  in  heaven  !  should  this  dream  prbve 
true?" 

The  guilty  man  paused,  while  his  whole  frame  shook, 
and  his  teeth  chattered  as  though  he  had  the  ague. 

-"And  yet  it  need  not,  unless  this  paltry  cowardice  of 
mine  betrays  me>"  he  again  cried,  starting  wildly  up  and 
pading  the  room.  "How  many  murderers  walk  in  the 
open  sunshine,  in  the  broad  face  of  day,  through  the  very 
heart  of  our  most  crowcied  cities,  with  impu6ity?  It 
only  requires  nerve,  courage,  boldness,  to  face  the  worst, 
and  I  cah'defy  Satan  himself  and  all  his  hosts.  Others 
have  committed  murder  before  me,  without  any  provoca- 
tion to  exQu^e  them,  and  it  troubled  them  not.  Whv, 
then,,  should  I,  who  only  acted  in  vindication  of  my 
wounded  honof— and  if  ever  murder  is  excusable,  siirely 
it  was  in  my  caee  ?  Why  should  I  tremble,  and  shrink 
from  my  very  shadow  ^  Courage,  coward,  sdUl  ?  These 
dreams  and  phantoms  of  a  disordered  bmin  will  pa^ss 
away,  with  tirhe.'  When  this  atEg,ic  in  some  degree  blows 
01^  I  will  ^t^a  tOs  LondpQ'^to  Paria;  and-  ioL  the 


¥i 


-^ 


TT 


p 


,  ^1^; 


'W»t; 


K 


V,--'  ■■  -'T.'-'r'if^-.g 


irsxT   Mosmm. 


^.-.^ 


*^1 


a  desperate  game,  and  „11  u.y  boldness  U  rcquir^^^ 
help  me  before  r.  «'f«">"y,  ■(  ever  tho»  did^ 

«hasU,  race  „<.e.    mZ^:,:!::^'t;^,^t^ 

XTf:;:oi::.er„r^-:-  -''- -  •"«  -^ 

"This  craven  face  wiit  never  do,"  he  said  •  "I  m..« 
composp  i,.  And  <hislbl.eveled  hair  nTua  not  r^ 
thus' disordered.  She  "sed  .o  .wine  it  rt,  d  l,er  Qn-^ 
once,"  he  said„.,e  look  of  agonizfng  sorrow  and  reJSS 
oora.ng  back:  "but  that  time  long  ago  pascT,^? 
must  not  thinkof  it  more-let  me  onfy  th^ink^f  t^^ 
for  w^hose  lovertle  forgot  .he  was  already  a  wife."  ^ 

The  thought  did  bfing.  a  sort  of  fierce  composure  ''^ 
Brushing  back  the  heavy  black   hair  off  his7a«  im 
brow,  he  threw  on  his  now  dry  cloak,  llgh.ed  one  of  th. 
c.gars  that  l,y  oh  .lie  ,able,-and  the ,  fanra  nLl  ,h,? 
presently  brought   fip  one  of  .he  servantlmen  .hi 

depihs  of  a  ioungmg-chair,  his  feet  extended  to  LZI 

e  y  pSu"  ot  "1'?-°^'  ™'«^^'  '^^'"S  .0  loo^tS 
very  p  cture  of  nonchalance.     It  was  a  miserable  faiWre 

"^1"^"';,"!."*'^  ^'^""'"^  »>'«  "">  testified.       ■" 
"Wh-      ^'^' "'"  5"»>  ?'«'»'=  to  have,  sir?" 


^" .    A»,l    .a 


.¥" 


-A- 


c> 


f;ai} 


JVSrr     MOBNINO. 


'^^ 


The  man  disappeared,  and  presently  returned  with 
fr£^rant  coffee,  delicious  waffles,  and  eggs." 

Courtney  seated  himself  a^the  table,  and  drank  cup 
after  cup  of  the  strong  coflee ;  but  the  first  morsel  he 
attempted  to  swallow  seemed  to  choke  him. 
-  The  grateful  beverage  sootlied  his  excited  nerves 
more  speedily  than  all  his  reasoning  and  pliilosophy  had 
done.  *" 

Draw^ing  out  his  watch  and  perceiving  it  was  after  ten, 
he  arose,  put  on  his  hat,  and  leaving  settled  his  bill,  was 
about  to  leave  the  house,  when  he  was  suddenly  con- 
fronted by  Captain  Guy  Campbell,  who  came  running 
up  the  outer  steps,  laughing  at  something  that  had 
occurred  outside. 

For  one  moment  the  guilty  soul  of  Courtney  quailed 
befor^the  bold,  bright  glance  of  the  young  captain's  eye 
.ii-forone  moment  onlj; ;  the  next,  he  looked  up  and  met 
his  gaze  with  one  of  deep,  sullen  hate.- 

Touching  his  hat  coldly,  the  young  captain  passed  on, 
and  Courtney  emerged  into  the  street,  all  his  fierce  hatred 
and  jealousy  returning  with  fourfold  bitterness  at  the 
thought  of  the  contrast  between  them — he  himself  so 
ghastly,  so  pallid,  so  haggard,  and  this  lover  of  his  dead 
wife  so  handsome,  dashing,  and  careless. 

"Heaven's  worst  curses  forever  light  upon  him  !",  he 
hissed,  fiercely.  "That  he — he  who  has  caused  me  to  do 
what  I  have  done— should  be  happy,  flattered,  and  beloved, 
while  I-^I  whom  he  drove  to  madness,  should  be  doomed 
to  a  life  of  torture  !  They  tell  us  of  a  certain  place 
— ^I  doubted  its  existence  once,  I  do  so  no  longer,  for  I 
leei-  «tready-9ome^>f4t&  tornien  tSi '-' 


And  any  one  seeing  the  demonlad  look  hiS'face  wore, 
woQld  not:  have  doubted  his  words- at  that  instant,   Enter* 


]ji  « 


g?:  Ti^iw^f- 


!     iT^Xr    MORNING.  i 

ing  a  livery-stable,  he  hired  a  horse  and  gig,  and  imme^ 
ately  started  in  the  direction  of  N . 

He  dreaded  the  coming  scene,  and  the  false  part  he 
would  have  to  act  in  it ;  and  yet,  as  if  impelled  J^  some 
mward  power,  over  which  he  had  no  control,  he  whipped 
and  lashed  the  horse  in  a  sort  of  frenzv  of  impatience  to 
be  there.  On  he  flew,  his  horse  foaming  and  reeking'iiT 
sweat— houses,  people,  streets,  passing  with  the  velocity 
of  a  dream,  and  yet  all  too  slow  for  the  burnifig,  maniac 
impatience  that  was  consuming  him. 

He  reached  N ,  and  consigning  his  panting  horse 

to  the  care  of  an  innkeeper,  within  half  a  inile  of  the  par- 
sonage,  he  set  out  for  it  at  a  rapid  walk.'  Ten  minutes  • 
brought  him  to  it,  and  in  spite  of  his  haste,  he  paused,  as 
Its  sober,  gray  front  and  green  window-shutters  rose  before 
him,  while  a  vague  thrill  of  nameless  terror  shot  throuch 
him.  ® 

It.  was  no  time  to  hesitate  now— the  worst  must  be 
faced  at  once.  Drawing  his  breath  in  hard,  he  approached 
the  door  and  rang.  ^       "  n^ 

The  summons  was  answered  by  Jenny.  As  he  passed 
into  the.  hall,  he  encountered  Mrs.  Brantwell  coming 
down  stairs.  That  good  lady's  pleasant,  cheery  face  wore 
a  look  of  unusual  gravity  as  she  greeted  him,  that  for  a 
moment  startled  him  out  of  hi§  comp<*sure. 

'^Is  my--I  wish  to  see  my  wife,  madam,"  he  managed 
to  say,  while  every  word  seemed  choking  him.      .  m- 

"  Your  wife  is  in  Ihe  parlor,  Mr.  Courtney,"  said  Mrs. 
Brantwell,  gravely,  as  she  held  open  the  door  for  him  to 
enter-ascribing  his  evidetit  agitation  m  »  far  different, 


cause. 


For  one  moment  his  wild,  maniac  eyes  were  riveted 
up6o  her  with  a  look  that  actually  terrified  the  good  mm,. 


^^i!^"-.  '^Eiij.?  C 


^^'Wt-^fu" 


■h  ^>' ' 


280 


MORNING   IN    THE   ISLAND. 


ister's  wife.  Reeling  unsteadilj',  as  though  he  had  sud- 
denly  received  a  violent  blow,  he  passed  her  .and  entered 
the  parlor.  , 

And  there  before  him  on  the  sofa,  supported  by  pil- 
lows, her  little  pale  face  looking  out  from  its  masses  of 
floating  golden  hair,  with  a  look  of  beseeching  entreaty 
to  be  forgiven,  lay  she  whom  he  supposed  buried  forever 
under  the  wild  waves.  For  in  instant  he  stood  paralyzed, 
speechless,  with  ashen  face  and  dilating  eyes.  And  then 
the  last  glimpse  of  hope  and  reason  fled,  and  with  a  ter- 
rific cry,  tliat  froze  the  life-blood  of  the  hearers,  the 
wretched  man  fell  senseless  on  the  floor.  \ 


«*  ^ 

/!*..' 


h 


a 


CHAPTER  XXIII. 

MORNING    IN    THE   ISLAND. 

"  And  she  was  gone,  and  yet  they  breathed. 
But  not  the  breath  of  human  life — 
A  serpent  round  each  heart  was  wreathejj, 
'\^    yVnd  stung  their  every  thought  to  strife." 


-k 


iYROX. 


AND  how  dawned  that  morn  on  Campbell's  Ludje? 
How  on  the  widow's  cottage  ? 

With  that  appalling  shriek,  that  most  tttrriblj  of 
aU  crie^,  that  unearthly  scream  of  murder  linr^inj;  in  lu'r 
ears,  Sibyl  sprang  from  her  sleepless  couch,  a|id  while 
her  very  heart  thrilled  with  ^lorror,  waited  for  ivJiat  was 
to-Come  next, 


Thrbugh  the  lonely,  silent  o 
re-echoed  liijie  a  kaeU  of  doom ; 


house,  it  cctioed  and 
it  wa$  aot|  repeated. 


\ 


MORNim   IN   THE  iSLAyD. 


\  She  could  hear  the  wild  wind  rushing  through  the  oner^ 
door,  awakening  strange,  ghostly  noises  through  the  h^h 
empty  rooms,  bZit  nothing  else.  ^  ^^ 

What  had  Ix^ppened  ?  What  was  to  be  done  ?  Was  k 
only  fancy?  ilad  she  been  dreaming,  and  rsthllcVv 
of  murder  any  a  delusion,  after  aH  ?  ^- 

thinrit''w±\;The^;r:::'i^^^^  si.  was  begi„ui„g  to^ 

footsteps   4ing'up^Slat!!rTi^^^ 

paused  at  l/er  own  door.  ^    *         ^   ^'^P   ^^** 

Sibyl's/ heart  stood  still.     It  v  a^  hi.f  f«.  „     •  . 

/wij^ine   Jong,   winding    staircase  again     m«j^^ 
rough  the  echoing  hall  belo»,  and  then  the'^targe.^h^vl 
f  on,  door  was  sl,,nn,cd  to,  wHh  a  violence  that  mlde^Z 
old  house  shake,  and  ail  was  again  profoundl/  tUI 

eve  VeL'onhe  "<■""  "J'"' eh^ly'egeu'ds  she  had 
ever  heard  of  the  old  mahsion,,  rushed  through  Sibyl's 
mmd.  Heaven  of.  heavens  .'could  this  be  thrstririt  i? 
some  murdered  victin,,  returning  fr„„,  its  bloodT^vL 
to  seek  for  retribution  on  its  murder,.r  ?  ".,  7  S""*' 
bell  natural,,  brave,  was  y.,  asTfkZ  .  f^^sSZ^ 

asue  fit,  U,rL  instant  sLro.hed^^'rfhrfl"''',''"' 
face  hidden  in  her  hand,,  while  .~":/Z'' ^^' 
she  had  once  heard,  of  „  wo„,a„  ,tabbe  rby  1  of  ht 

murderer  and  <tm  his  descendants.  -  .-*^  "^^  *»•' 


'M'-^l\j.^ 


fc%A 


28» 


MORNING   IN   THE  ISLAND, 


~^. 


How  long  she  sat  she  knew  not,  but  the  sound  of  the 
old  clock  below,  striking  in  deep,  sonorous  tones,  that 
echoed  startiingly  through  the  silent  house,  pne  !  two  I 
three  !  recalled  her  once  more  to  life. 

That  earthly  sound  broiight  her  once  more  to  herself. 
She  raised  her  head  ^ind  looked  wildly  around.  Aunt 
Moll  lay  near  h'er,  breathing  heavily,  and  sleeping  the 
deep,  dreamless^  death-like  sleep  that  seems  peculiar  to 
the  children  of  Africa.  The  consciousness  of  companion- 
ship—even though  'that  copipanion  was  but  a  poor,  help- 
less old  negress — brought  renewed  coura'^e.  Rising,  and 
half  ashamed^  of  her  superstitious  fears,  she  walked  to  the 
•window  atjdii^Ked  out. 

The  storm,  had  passed  away  and  the  moon  was  shining 
'brigfjjtly,  lighting  up  with  her  calm,  pale  radiance  what 
had  so  lately  been  a  scene  of  deepest  darkness  and  wil,d- 
est  storm.  Her  e}*es  wandered  over  the  island  ;.  all  there 
was  still  and  serene.  From  thence  they  strayed  out  over 
the  boundless  sea,  and  suddenly  rested  on  an  object  that 
banished  all  fears  of  supernatural  visitors,  and  brought 
with  it  a  new  alarm. 

It  was  a  boat — a  boat  that  had  evidently  jus^  put  off 
from  the  isle,  and  was  rapidly  disappearing  in  the  dis- 
tance. *  . 

It  held  but  two  persons — she  could  see  that.  But  what 
meant  this  midnight  visit,  in  darkness  and  storm,  to  that 
lonely  isle  ?  What  terrible  deed,  under  cover  of  night 
and  tempest,  had  been  perpetrated  this  night  ? 

She  caught  her  breath  quick  and  short ;  but  now  that 
she  feared  only  earthly  dangers  and  earthly  foes,  there 
came^W'ltJrTftTs^mscovcry  a  cfcep^Tjreatfr-isr  i^t^ 
one  might  still  be  concealed  in  the  house — some  one  who 


^i^^\^^'^'(S> 


t»,»^' 


^^C -'^^^'^^^ 


Mosmjira  m  tsb  island. 


Indulged  in  the  popular  belief  that  there  was  money  con- 
cealed  in  It  somewhere,  • 

There  ^^as  no  time  to  hesitate-tbe  house  must  be"' 
searched.     Lem  must  be  aroused  to  assist  in  it.     He^felept 
m  the  opposite  wing  of  the  building,  and,  supposing  any 
one  to  be  concealed  in  the  empty  rooms,  the  journ«y  J^ 
a  hazardous  one;  but  it  could,  not  be  avoided.     Sibyl 
grew  quite  calm  in  the  face  of  this  new  dagger,  and     " 
stooping,  she  shook  Aunt  Moll  b2.the  shoulder  to  arouse' 
her.  , 

A  d^p  grunt,  as  the  sleeper  turned  over  and  fell  into  ^  ^^ 
a  deepen  sleep  than  before,  rewarded  her  exertions 

-"Aunt  Moll,  wake  !  Wake,  I  say!  There  are  people 
m  the  house,  said  Sibyl,  in  an  anxious  whisper,  as  she 
shook  her  more  violently  than  before.  "Oh,  Heaven  f 
what  shall  I  do  ?  Aunt  Moll.  wake.»  wake  !  Do  you  want 
to  be  murdered  in  your  bed  ?».cried  Sibyl,  giving  her  a 
shake  that  might  have  ar()u§ed  the  seven  sleepers  if  'i 

"  Dar  Lem j-dar  !    Don't  shake  yer  ole  mammy,  dat's ' 

a  good  chile  ;  'fain't  'spectful.  nor  likewise " 

Here-lhe  sleeper  sank  into  deep  slumber,  muttcrioff 
an  incomprehensible  something. 

T1»ore  was  no  time  to  Icse-^it  was  fruitless  labor  seek- 
ing to  wake  Aunt  Moll.     Soiling  a  lamp,  she  hastily 
struck  a  light;  and  hastened   out   in  o  the  windy  hall 
pausing  for  an  instant  at  the  head  of  the  long,  black  stair- 
case, to  listen,  ere'she  ventured  further.  .  4 

The  silcndc  of  the  grave  still  reigned.     Nothing  mtft 
her^ear  but  the  faint  echo  of  licr  own  light  footsteps: 

staircase,  through  the  lower,  hall  into  the  kitchen,  and 
^"Cre  she  again  paused  lo  reflect. 

The  moonlight  was  pourtng  a  JiMit.  through  the  two- 


■-f 


zm 


^^^^^f^^-'^'f  ^'.i '  ^fP^xt:-.'-^^^ 


m 


Monmsa  m  tee  island. 


i'> 


^low-curtained  windows  and^  rendering  the  flickering 
iamp  superfluous.  Everytliin^^  stood  precisely  as  it  had 
the  night  before ;  chairs  and  table  were  in- their  places, 
find  fiad  npt  been  disturbed  ;  a  few,  red  coals  still  glowed 
like  fierce  eyes  amid  the  darkness  of  the  great,  black, 
yawning  chimney— it  waj  evident  that  no  one  had  been 
intruding  here. 

i     Pushing  open  a  door  leading  directly  from  the  kitchen 
Into  Lem's  sleeping-room,  she  entered  it,  and  stood  beside 
him.     Shecpuld  not  spare  time  to  try  to  arouse  him  by 
ordinary  means,  so  seizing  a  large  pftcher  of  cold  water 
that  stood  near,  slieuncereraonioiisiyjijiashed  iC^in  his^face, 
drenching  him  completely. 
|,    ^     The  shock  aroused  him,  as  it  weil  Vnight ;  and,  utter-, 
ing  a  fearful  yell  of' mingled  rageUnd  terror^  Lem  sat*** 
bolt  upright  in  bed,  unab^ki  to  dint/ngiiish  anything  for 
^  the  light  of  the  lamp  that  flashed  di/ec;ly\i  his  eyes.         ^h 
••  Oh  1"  was  his  first  ejaculation  f"  I's  giwine  for  to,  bel  " 
'sassinatcd 'thout  a  minit's  warnin' I"  '       ^ 

'^^^,  "  Hush,  hush,  Lem  !  for  HeavciK  sake  !  It's  only  J, 
your  mistress  !"  said  Sibyl,  putting  ot^  little  wiiite  hand 
over  his  huge  black  mouth.  Get  up  M  dress  yourself 
as  quickly  as  possible,  and  join  mc  in  ili^  kitchen,  whdre 
I  will  wait  until  yon  come." 

-And  without  waiting  for  the  hc*t  of  questions  she  saw 
iiovering  on  his  lips,  Sibyl  passed  out  to  tlW  kitchen  to 
'^'ait  for  him.        "  '  "V^  -      tl^ 

With  teeth  ^atttn^^  and  shaking  w^ffT  tcrroi^  Lem 
,  proce^ed,  with  tfcmblinj;  Gngcrs,  to  dr*!^  <jn  his  cjothes.      ., 
Widuwt   wait^  to   make  a  very   clabi^^uc   toilet,   he   J 
|m««m:U  mil  lu  i^ic  irtimien,"^imere^51hyl^Uii7ar^fting  in  a 
fever  i>f  impatience.  ^         •  .  ,  •/ 

"  Mils   Sibyl  1"   he  <ixclaitned»  itt  tremblioir  tones.    J 


V 


7 


n  V 


JfOSil^il^G'   IN  '  IBE  lBtA2m 


1^      88S 
lo^a^,^*"^"^''    '^  "^  "»  S^i-  ">  ^  killed.  Pr 

your  noise  will  only  rev  J  whefe  we  aTe'-  i^  ^Z"  "''' 
-    "ot,  there  is  no  occasion  for  your  tlLr     r         /„*"■  - 

me;  we  must  search  the  house  "  ^"""^  ^°'-'°«5 

.  _    "Oh.  Miss  Sibyl,  I's  afeard!    'Deed  d^  X  „.a  i. 

Pshaw  !    Do  you  think  yoiV  will  be  any  safer  hWe> 
Come.  g,ve  over  your  fears,  and  follow  me'^  sa  d  SibW 
as  she  turned  toward  the  hall  once  more.      '     "^  ^^T 

Oh,  Miss  Sibyl,  don't  wenture  !     We'll  be  nil  -.o    •       ' 
ated  if  you  do  "  '  .,      ®  ^^.^^  all  sassm-   , 

anticipated,  finding' no  one.  '  ^"'*  ^'  ™^^  ^ 

"VVhat  «ftn  this  mean-?"  she  thono-hf'     «Tk 
certainly  so,„e  onL  here  to-nigit.  and  vt '  I  Z\,       """ 
■hmg  undisturbed.    This  ismo°st   tl„e   .h«,t  JtlT"' 
gone,  too.  tor  the  house  is  perfectly  still      O'^^™ 
could  that  crvnf  J..»i       i,      f"'"-^"/   still.     Oh,   what 

'ta.  light  oTickJ^L    .""'"'"  ■^"" ""'« »"" 

<     xue  girl   (Jlin^tie   would  not  canui  af»  ;-  * 
Jjnnd,  neither  waa  ij.  her  --  ^  -  -      »  "       ^  ^'^  "  ^°g 


votcCi     What= 


mean  ?' 


faii^of  ;!f  "^^ '''' '"4^^"^^""  "^  'h«  rnidnight  visiti  the 
f«r,  pale  woman  witk  the  dark,  wild  hair  ' 


A- 


."^v 


aad  eyes,  who 


»<• 


286 


MORNING    m    THB   ISLAND. 


bad  bent  over  the  couch  of  Willard  Drummond  the  firsilf 
night  he  had  spent  in  the  lodge  came  over  her.     It  must, 
have  been  that  same  supernatural  visitant ;  and  Sibyl  f^- 
grew  for  an  instant  faint  and  sick  at  the  thought. 

Further  search  in  the  house  was  fruitless  ;  but  her 
impatience  would  not  permit  her  to  wait  until  njorhing 
to  investigate  further.  Returning  to  the  kitcheft,  where 
Lem  was  on  his  knees,  alternately  groaning,  praying,  and 
bemoaning  his  hard  fate,  she  commanded  hiiA  to  get  his 
hat  and  come^out  w;ith  her,  to  see  if  any  tracesXof  intrud- 
ers could  be  found  on  the  island. 

In  vain  did  Lem  begin  expostulating ;  Sibyl  cut  it 
short  by  threatening  him  with  her  brother's  future  ven- 
geance if  he  did  not  instantly  obey.     There  was  no  help 
for  it ;  and  trembling  in  every  limb,  the  frightened  darkey 
-  followed  his  imperious  mistress  from  the  house. 

All  without  was  so  calm  and  peaceful — all  the  more 
calm  and  peaceful,  contrasted  with  the  wild  uproar  of  the 
storm  a  few  hours  before-— that  it  seemed  like  sacrilege 
even  to  think  of  deeds  of  violence  in  such  a  spot.  A 
delicious  odor  from  the  distant  pine  forest  filled  the  air, 
and  the  fitful  sighing  of  the  wind  among  the  trees,  and 
"  the  dull  booming  of  the  waves  on  the  shore,  alone  broke 
the  silence  of  early  morning.  The  moonlight,  obscured 
now  and  then  by  fitful  clouds,  brightly  illumined  their 
way,  but  nothing  betrayed  the  presence  of  other^  save 
themselves  on  the  isle  that  night. 

\  Sibyl  took  the  path  leading  in  the  direction  from  which 
toe  boat  haii  started,  but  there  the  waves  were  breakins:  with 
th6  same  ftijQi|](Otpnous  sound,  giving  no  indication  of  any 
onexnaving  beenah^e.  Tlje  tTde'Had  now  "receded~suffi- 
cientiy  to  all6w  Sibyl  to  walk  around  the  beach ;  and, 
tempted  by  the  calm  beautf  of  il^  night,  and  feding  a 


jA- 


'^^('kf'P^' 


MOBNlNi  JU^  Tm  ISLAND. 


^senseoi  security  in  the;^jjen  air,  L  strolled  on  until^ 

X     t^VP^'^^"'^^"""""^'^  '^•^  first  moment  of 
alarm,,had  dropped  the  body  of  Chrtsfie  *• 

Something  caught' her  eye  at  so Ae' distance  further^ 
up  quttenng  from  a  prickly  thorn  bush,  evidently  a  frag- 
ment of  dress.     Feeling  as  if  she  had  at  last  found  some^ 
cle«^,  she  approached  the  spot  and  found  it  to  be  a  whul' 
muslm  handkerchief,  but  almost  saturated  with  bioalv        ' 

A  sensation  of  horror  came  ov§r  Sibyl.  Had  there 
really  been  a  murder  committed  there  that  night  ?  SfirinL 
^ng  from  touching  it,  she  was  about  leaving  the  spot 
when  near  one  corner,  free  from  the  horrible  stains  that 

in'iaTs     tV."'  'T  '^'  '^"  °"  ^"'"^^^^'"^  '"^^  -  «-^  or ' 
mmals.     Taking  the  corner  with  the  tips  of  her  fingers. 

she  beheld,  marked  in  full,  the  name  ^'Christina  ' 

It    was    hefs,   tlien,    Christie's.      What    could    have 

brought  It  there?     Had  anything  luppened  to  her  ?.  / 

Oh,  impossible !"  thought  Sibyl.     "  Who  is  there  in 

the  world  to  w4iom  she  is  of  the»slightest  importance,  liv-' 

ing  or  dead,  except  indeed,  to  me?    Willard  has  eine  - 

she  IS,  in  all  probability,  safely  asleep  in  yonder  coftoge  • 

and  I  am  only  torturing  myself  by  useless  fears.     I  Will 

retuni  to  the  lodge,  and  leave  to-morrow  to  unravel  thh. 

So  saying,  to  tJfe  great  satisfaction  of  her  attendant 
^vho  had  all  this  time  been  cautiously  walkin^l^S 
i^er.  looking  fearfully  ait  every  tree  and  rock,  afd  fan^. 
•"g  an  assassin  in  their^very  shadows,  Sibyl  turned  slow^ 
toward  the  old  hall.    On  their  way  they^assed  the  ^ 


•mJ^A 


f< 


;Vj 


*■'  ■ ' 


ii 


mystified  and  uneasy  still,  Sibyl  sought  hir  rooiTonS 

more,  tn    wnnAar    an^l    -__ t-^^  .  ^— *^ 


more,  to  wonder  and  speculate  upon  the  events  of  thtt 
nighc  unai  jnoming  should  d*#iu  V  'V     '  * 


"^v 


'  MORNINQ    IN   THE   1BLA,SD. 


The  bustling  little  widow,  Mrs.  Tom— like  all  those 
who  seem  to  have  least  occasion  for  it— was  in  the  habit 

^  of  getting  up  XGry  early  in  the  morning,  to  the  serious 
annoyance  of  young  Mr.  Henley,  who  preferred  letting 
the  sun  rise  without  impertinently  staring  at  him  while 
doing  so,  Christie,  too,  would  just  as  soon  not  be  awak- 
ened from  some  rosy  dream  at  daylight,  by  the  shrill 
voice  of  the  old  lady  ;  but  Aunt  Tom's  word  was  law, 
and  .when  she  called  there  was  no  sucli  word  as  disobey.' 
The  little  widow  was  quite  pware  of  their  disinclinatiqn 
for  early  rising,  therefore  great  was  her  amazement,  upon 

'.  going  to  the  ojutcr  room,, to  find  Christie  absent,  the  bed 
made,  the  door  unlocked,  giving  evidence  of  her  being  up 
and  out. 

"  Well  !"  .ejaculated  Mrs.  Tom,  "  what  won't  come  to 
pass  !  Next  thing,  I  s'pose,  will  be  Carl  offering  to  wash 
.the  dishes  wiihout-^'cin'  told.  Shouldn't  wonder  if  he 
was  up  and  off  this  niornin',  too.  Fust  time  I  ever  knew 
Christie  to  git  up  'thout  bcin'  told.  Here,  you  Carl  ! 
'  Carl  !'■  shrieked  Mrs.  Tom,  going  to  the  foot  of  the  ladder 
and  looking  up  through  the  trap. 

•A   sound.;: she    was   well    accustoqied    to,   something 
between  a  snort  and  a  groan,  was  Mr.  Henley's  answer. 

"Hurry  up  there,  cf  yc  dont  want  me  to  go  up  and 
help  ye, 'called  Mrs,  Tom.  "cf  I  do,  ye'll  wish  ye  had 
ffot  up* 'thout  my  help,  tlafs  all.  J'll  dress  you,  I 
rcekon," 
'  ^o\%  as  this  was  a  formula  Mrs.  Tom  had  repeated 
b*(^y  5iornin/|  fqr  some  ten  years,  without  ever  being 
kq^-n  t0  «ar^.  it  in  ilie  least,  Carl  was  too  well  accus- 
^toH^ed-t^Ji  it  to  veBtura  to  disobey.  Armrriinrrly^  he  sprang 
»|)f  s^nd  b^fl  dressing  in  aU  haste,  considering  he  was 
half  asleep  Hiuriog  the  perlf>ri9^R(«<    Mii  to«i  mean- 


4s. 


- :     uonmifQ  m  tee  laLAim    / 

whjle  set  about  kindling  n  fire,  and  preparing  the  break 
fas^.  a^meal  which  was  usually  ove/beLre  le  sun^as 
upf  and  dressed  for  the  day. 

("Where's  Christie?"  was  Carl's'  first  quLtioi' upon 
re^'HSr  'he  kitchen,  as  he  glanced  in  thedlr-fction  ofZ 
Wtle  where,  every  morning,  about  this  h|ur,  he  w„ 
a«custoni(!d  to  see  her  making  her  bed.  ' 

/   "  Up  and  gathering  sea-moss  an '  hour  W  I'il   he 
Jound."  repLed  Mrs,  T6m,.  ■■  ..me  as  you  ifu Id  do  rf 

jate  01  the  airth  !  I  l^„pe  now  this  iviU  be  A  warnioe  to 
toufor  the  uture.  think  o' all  the  sea-mis,  a^ber" 
es,  and  s.ch,  you  c^ld  have  gathered  evU  morn^tf 
fore  th,s  .,me,  ef  you  teas  worth  your  salt.  L,  it  a  W 
was  my  Ittck  ever  since  I  was  born,  to  be  pligued  w  ,h  !| 
seto  the  laztest,  most  feood-for.nothing  bein's  everl^^ 
upon  he  face  of  the  airth!  Stand  out  jo' my  way  wiU 
you,  ef  you  don't  want  to  break  nqr>oeck'i" 

Trot,  the  unfortunate  cat.  caine  in  as  usual    for  tho 

Srs^icr """""? "  -''"--p'»»'^^  t 

"  Lor'  sakes    Aunt  Tom,"   exclaimed   Master  Carl 

ZZll  "^Y       f  ''"  '"''^"^^^"^  '^  ''''^  --P-t  di 
aaF  \    '     °"  "^^^^  ^^^"'  ^  ^^Ue*-  to  get  up  in  th' 
middle  of  the  night,  do  f,ou?    By  graiiny.^ifs  too  bad 
No  matter  how  earlyaf&Iler  gets  up,  you  always  tb[f 
"e  ou.ht  to  get  up  earlie.  still     'Spo';  you'U ^"^^ak  ° 
me  'bout  midnight  pretty  soon,  ugh?"  -^^^ 

beir!!^'h/^    '!"'    "7^^   was  delivered  pianissimo    (that' 


,  •■i!0^ 


Wlie  wa^  Jjlusteiing  but  and  ia, 
»..^       ,  V  fi^o«^dess  of  morning,  brincii 

wood  and  water,  ind  beginning  ta  kaead  liiuil,     . 


.sharp  and  breezy  as  the  goddess  of  morning,  bringing  i, 


^w™   vflB  *'!^'*|'W*^" 


;,: 


*^^ 


'i-vW^t/i3t 


p. 'XT 


M0 


MOmiNO    IN.  THE  m^AITD. 

■.1" 


A' 


/  "Ye^,  grumble,"  said  the^kctive  little  woman.  "I 
never  kniew  you  doing  anything  dlse  ef  you  was  told  to 
work.  Pity  if  a  great,  big,  lazy  fellow  like  youpan't  get 
up  as  airly  as  Christie,  a  delicky  young  gal,  too  !  See 
her,  up  and  out  while  you  was  snoyin'  away  like  a  pig 
up  there  !     you  ought  to  be  'shamed  o*  yourself." 

*•  I  say,  Aunt  Tom,"  said  Carl,  looking  up  with  as 
much '  interest  as  his  usually  exf)ressionless  face  could 
assume,  "was  she  out  a  little  'fore  twelve,  when  it  was 
a-stormin'  so  ?"  t 

"  'Fore  twelve  ?"  said  Mrs,  Tom,  in  a  high  key,  as  she 
hnagined   her  dutiful  nephew  was  making  fun  of  her. 
'"  Look  here  now,  you  Carl,  ef  I  hadn't  my  hands  in  this/  • 
dough,  I'd  box  jour  ears  till  you  wouldn't  ask  me  such  a 
question  agin." 

"Now,  Aunt  Tom,"  said  Carl,  in  a  wWmpering  tone, 
"  it's  too  bad,  so  it  is;  a 'feller  carn't  say  nothing  you 
don't  get  mad  at.  If  it  wan't  Christie,  'twas  Miss  Sibyl ! 
1  s!tw  some  woman  or  other  out,  'boot  midnight,  running 
like  mad  through  the  storm — an  what's  more,  I  heard 
her,  too." 

"  My  Conscience  !'■  ejaculated  Mrs.  Tom,  lifting  up 
her  floury  hands  in  holy  terror,  "  m-y  conscience  !  how 
that  there  boy  does  lie  !  Carl*  Heriley,  do  you  mean  to 
teli'.me  that  you  was  out  in  that  storm  last  night,  and  saw 
Miss  Sibyl  vj  <     _ 

"  No,  I  Wa'n't' out  myself,"  said  Mr.  Henley,  tearing 
the' comb  fiercely  throuigh  his  tow-locks,  in  his  deep  indig- 
nation at  havinj^  his^  veracity  and  reason  both  doubted. 
"  But  I  seen  what  I  saw,  for  all  that.    S'pose  you  ha'n't 

fotten,  Aunt  Tom,  that  there's  a  pane  of  elass  broken 


foj^c 


pane 


out  of  one  of  the  windows  up  stairs,  with  your  old  bqptl 
'iiet-8tu<:k  through  k.    Weil,"  said  Carl«.  i»  A  ^igt 


iJ!^13fB!S'' 


Wmmo    ,y   THE  ISLAITD. 


subdued  tone  ••your olrih     u  '-■-''/ 

a-beating  i„to  my  face     lo       ^  ^         ""  ""^  ^^J^^'^  raia 
i«t  as  I  got  .o  tL  windCv    ,r^'^     "^X^^  ''>  -^. 
lightning  as  J  never  seen  aWp,'''"'/^'^  ^  "'-^^'^  «f 
^  was  a  goner  !     Everythi'ef!;,  ^!",y^^  '  ^'^^'t  thinir  ' 
was  considerably  clearer  nor  dav  •"".l^''"'"  '"^  '"'"""s 
^woman  flying  th^ugh  the  storm  ^^"'' '''^"   '  ^'-^^  a 

was  after  her,  and  as  she  nrsSVf!.'''  '^  ""  ^^^'-^^^O" 
J-nging  out  motJur,   or   ^X    1^^'°"'^' '  ^^^''^  her. 
'  was  pretty  conside^abneCTi   1'*"','^"^^    ^Wch.* 
-It  was  only    Miss   Sibyl  ^orT\^"^^  ^  ^'^   ^'^'"k 
.'     ••^-«3^-"' behind  her,  jistiLel;^^^^^   '^"^  ^'^  ^^r 
away  I  couldn't  se;'nothing  t  it  wT         '''  ^'^  ^«°^ 
doors;and  though  I  was  s^'aredfH"       ^^^«»out. 
to  see  if  it  was  Miss  Sibyl  .nd  r    !  f\-^^^^<l  wanted 
the  next ;  but  when  ^tcame  "t     ^""^  ''"'""'  ^^"'"^  f***^ 
" My  sakes  I"    eicSd^'^^r/;-''  . 
,  ~  was  for  tW.o.ent  arresLd"^-^;:,^ 

"Well  then,"  said  Carl    in   „   i      ^  ^ 
';orry  his  story  had  not  a Vo,e  thrmf  '*^^'  ^'  ^'^^"^^ 
tired  a-settin*  up  so  I  W.a  T^      'hr.lhng  sequel,  "I/,fot 

Sibyl  hnd  n^ecr  „o.io„;'"  "'  """  ""='«'    I  kn6*  E 

ram."  ^  8°  O"'  pinlandering  tfirough  the 

"  Well,  itniiist 


rannlog-  like  a'houae^r'  ,u       "°""  *«"  «  "omao 
W."    .     .    !^^  "'"'"gh  all  the  wind  ^ 


II 


smv^^W    vWjtS^^ 


m 


s-1 


t  ?  ■f''  '^-*f-^  %  *  *•     -^  "'    '<'^^  ~  ■J'tP'  f^  r*  ^"¥^4 


mt2 


MORNINO    JN   TEB   ISLAIfD. 


K^ 


i 


"  No;  you  didn't,"  said  Aunt  Tom,  shortly.  "  'Twas 
only  h  touch  oi^aightmare  ;  so  don't  bother  me  any  more 
about  it."  • 

Thus  ignorainiously  silenced,  Carl  proceeded  lazily  to 
assist  in  the  preparation  for  breakfast,  which  he  would 
greatly  have  preferred  discussing,  if  left  to  himselfj  to 
getting  ready. 

-   The  coffee  and,bisbuits  were  smoking  at  length,  on  the 
table,  but  Christie  did  not  make  her  appearance. 

"Very  strange,"  said  Mrs.  Tom  ;  "don't  see  what  in 
the  world  ktteps  tlie  gdl.  Here  it  is  going  on  to  seven 
o'clock, iiand  my  work  a-st^di ng,  while  we're  waiting  for 
her.     Cilfrl,  jest  run  out  and  see  ef  you  can  see  her." 

Carl  started  on  his  mission,  but  soon  returned, 
announcing  that  nothing  was  to  be  seen  of  her. 

.  "Then  there's  no  use  a-waitipg  any  longer,"  said  Mrs. 
Tom.  "  Set  down  ;  ,  may  be  she's  gone  to  the  lodge  to 
l>re;ikfast  with  Miss  Sibyl." 

The  meal  was  over,  the  service  cleared  away.  Carl  set 
out  to  weed  the  garden;  Mrs..^Tom  sat  down  to  her 
wheel.     But  still  Christie  came  not. 

•  ■  ■  »  " 

f  "  ^Mt  ^'^"8®  '"   observed  Mrs.  Tom,  at  last  begin- 

1  tV.-iii||g;4<^S^w  uneasy.    "  Ten  o'clock,  and  Christie  not  here 
.'  ^f^!     My  stars  !  I  wonder  ef  anything  can  hev  happened 
to  her?    I've  noticed  she's  been  kind  o' silent  and  pinin' 
away  for  the  last  two  or  tfiree  days.     I  hope  nothin's  hap- 
pened to  hct.    Oh,  hcfe  she  is  now  I     No  'tain't  neither; 
'  it's  Miss  Sibyl/'.  •  ^v 

.:    The  little  widow  rose,  and  came  smiling  and  cheery  to 
^  ^tibe  door  to  welcome  her  guest. 

Welly  Misa  Sibyl,  Pm^glad  to  see  you.    Walk  in  and 


!<!»■ 

h 


4t, 


rit  down.    I  thought  when  you  and  Master  Guy  came 
\amm  Uwa  lutwm  pMU  jron'tf  tta/  confortably  on  tiM 


a*Li.«l 


^^.^lii^SiK' 


X 


*•<««»■<?  nr  7a,  .^^ 


'«•» 


isfaiid ;  but, -Mead  Q' that  w.  „     •  *" 

•        V°"  ^'^;'"  Canada  or  RoXT'"^''""""'"''' -or 

.    They  Were  both  van  ™.ii      ,.      .    ™'""o°<"" 
■       f^'i  Sibyl,  ,n,iii„g  ,„^™^  m?'".'.^"  "■™  '«'." 
..      from  which  Urn.  Tom  tofli  '",".'?  '"'  P^^'™"  «al 
.par..cl«  of  dust  with  her  apron       r  .'"^  '°""  '""-"i^ 
quae  well  yourself,  Mrs.  Tom™:  P"  ^'"'  ''"«  •««•> 

.        Oh,  tol'bul,"  said  Mrs   Tom  , 

'S.Touknow,  I  hain't  n„ ?•  '  """PlaceDtly.    "pw, 

folks,  vvhafs  well  oV^:'r  f  ""-ct  ;  if/„n,y^  - 

So  you've  had  a  grflt  f^rtf/l  ^ '"""'^^  i»  sicknest 
hearn  tell !"  *      '  '°""°«  ^^ft  you.  Miss  Sibyl  IVe 

every  now  and  then  soTethWs'T'  ""  "'■"=">  "" 
ve  allers  remarked  .hat  ml U  "?  •'""  '"  *'PP»-    ' 

■ntend  to  stay  here  much  lonX  M      oj""^  ^°"  "on't 
.  ,  ••  I  ™l..er  think  not.    We  ^  Im""  "'^' '" 
island,  Mri  Tom.  But  whert  7  ""  ^°"  '°  *«p«J,e 

I  do  not  see  her  -"  °"  ''  y™"-  "'eoe  this  morning  J 

-d"hat:Cl:i:«ir"!»«  -fore  any  „,  „sg„.  „, 
«;»■  Tom,  anxiou^y!^e1;in'l^"i"S  "'*  o-asy^sag. 
••'^ough.  sh),had6„t;olePy:„""  ^""«  '""■^'"'O'. 

^he  :,LglT:t  :hrha„1kS<5"fH  '^"'.r  •-'-"■.y  pal.  „ 
and  the  men  leaving  the  island  ^        """  "^  "'  """J". 

*«y.  she  fell  back  in  herctar.  ^*'  """"'  *"'*'  »'«"  »»<l 
fer  heart.  "  "^'r  and  pressed  her  h^nd 


.^j 


t^l 


«r«lf^ 


•Bd 


•**«f' 


KS-MtSiiiit^JiT,!--*.!';"'*;;'''-' 


m 


MOBNlNd^  IN   tHB   J9LA 


di 


with>nlartn  the  ufiocjeoimtable  paleness  of  the  y^oung  lady. 
**  Here's  some  camphire  ;  smell  of  it,  or  ye'll  faint." 

"Thank  you,  I  do  not  require  it,"  baid  Sibyl,  rising 
with  an  effort,  and  striving  to  be  calm.j  "Have  you  any 
idea  what  tii^e  Ghristie  left  the  house  ?" 

• /*  Not  the  slightest  idee  ;  'cause  I  Was  asleep  at  the 
time.  Garl  say8«*-though  there's  no  puijtin'  confidence  in 
him — that,  somewheres  'bout  midnight,  he  seed  a  woman 
Vittfnin'  through  the  storm,  and  sin^iii'  out  '  murder !' 
But  in  course  lie  was  dreaniing;  there  couldn't  hev  bin 

^y  »ch  thing,'* 

.' ,,  i  .**  Gh,  merciful  Heaven  'then  it  was  rio  delusion  on  my 
part,  since  I  heard  it,  too.  Oh,  this  is  dreadful!"  said 
Sibyl,  wringing  her  Itands. 

"Miss  Sibyl,  what** happened?"  saidjMrs.  Tom,  grow- 
ing very  pale.  I 


Christie  !" 
Tom,  grasping  a 


Christie,  I  fear. 


Wl'7 


"Oh»  Mrs.  Tom  !     Heaven  help  you, 

"  Christiie  1  what  of  her  ?"  cried  Mrs. 
ohair  to  steady  herself. 

"Oh,  Mrs.  Tom  !  must  I  tell  you? 
went  out  last  nignt  in  the  storm^  and — oh.  Heaven  !" 
said  Sibyl,  sinking  into  a  chair,  w|th  a:  convulsive 
shudder.   .  I 

"  And  what»  Miss  Sibyl?  Tell  me,  quick  ?  Was  she 
swept  away  in  the  storm  ?"  said  Mrs.  Tom,  striving  to 
strangle  her  trembling  tones.  | 

"  Oh^orse—worso !  I^ar  ;  still  wo^se  f"  said  Sibyl, 
wiidiy.  I 

"Ob|  xttjr^  sotil  !  what  has  happened]?  Oh,  Christie! 
d«ar  Cbrifltte ! ,  where  are  you  ?" 


Ji  Chri«tl&ha8,4  i«ar,  been  waylaid  aat 
**MttidM«d!     Oh,  Heaven!"  exdailned  Mnt.  Tom, 


f  -^'-  "*  wj   ^^-'^   s  %     ^'i:  ■**     ^     Ti^^^AjO^Sir^rz^rFSiL^L ^M  * 


1 


^^^.^""^"1"^  ^  ^*^^^*"«?  »«^'^««  wkb  w 

Tn^'T  7^'  *  momeofs  awfui  silence.      Then  Mrs.^" 
Tom,  who  (no  matter  what  the  emergency)  ne^erl^lJ^ 
her  eve^practical  mind  to  be  long  o^erdL^^J^^ 

fnghtfull^  pale,  sa,d.  in  ^«|.hose  firmnesfLtonfeT:! 

(^hlni'f  w'"^''''  ^°"  '■^'  S'*'^^?    My  poor  li«ilt 
Christie  had  not  an  enemy  in  the  world  '" 

"  Oh  !  she  had-she  had  !"  cried  Sibyl,  thinking'  wt A 
bUter  remorse,  how  intensely  she  herself'h.!d  h^K 

Who  wa,  It  ?••  said  Mrs.  Tom,  starting  up.    'M^HU 
but  a  monster  could  have  hurled  one  h«ir  «f  k        **  ™ 

saidSib;:^c^::;:S<Sr'^"^ 

«What  makes  you  think  she  was  murdered?"  saM 
Mrs.  Tom,  who  by  this  time  had  ,ecove,^d  all  her  cu^ 

'^^r^'^  ^"^  --  '^^ '-  ^y-  ^-^Z- 

"Last  night  I.  too.  like  your  nephew,  heani  the crv  ol ' 
murder, '  said  Sibyl,  shuddering  at  the  re;:oHectio«    "^^ 
early  th.s  morning,  I  discovered  in  a  bush,  down  nkr  t^ 
shore,  a  pocket-handkerchief,  stained  wkh  blo^    ^^ 
marked  wuhher  name  !"  '       ° 

"  Where  is  the  handkerclnef  ?••  ,    _      sX 

"It  is  there  still  ;  I  did  not  touch  it  "  .  '^7  J 

;' ^«"'<^'  ^*»«".  and  show  m<,  the  place,"  said  Mrs.  Tom. 
^i^^^enjass^ 

alT  me  composure  she  was  endeavoring  to  assume.     ^^ 
Without  exchanging    a  word,  they   buried  to  Hi^ 


..V 


E^'iS://  '%TiMLii'Ai^.\.  ^- ..  - 


-•t'-. 


fi^^f* 


vk* 


M6 


MOnmNQ   IN   THE  laLAXJ). 


V'- 


t  1  *^?, 


gloomily, 


If:: 


spot,  where  the  ghastjy  handkerchief  still  fluttered  in/ the 
,  breea^e..  .  ^  ,       '     .  \  1   r"  '. 

"  Oh,  it  is  hers  r  exclaimed  Mrs.  Tom.  ''Theyiiave 
nrur^ered  her  on  the  beacli,  and  the  tide  has  swedt  her 
•way.    O^ Christie!  Christie!"  / 

And  bowing  her  face  in  her  hands,  for  the  fir^  time 
'  she  wept  passiohately.  *  / 

There  was  a  lohg  pause,  broken  only  by  Mr/.  Tom's 
convulsive  sobs.  Sibyl  stood  wrestling  with  her  own  bit- 
ter thoughts,  not  daring^  to  Tbreak  in  upon  hei^  grief  by 
liny  useless  words  of  comfort.  ^ 

^    At  last  Mrs.   Tom  looked,  up,  her  tears  seemingly 
changed  to  sparks  of  fire.  #  / 

"  Who  has  done  this  ?    You  know  !"  shie  s^d, 
laying  her  hand  on  Sibyl's  arm. 

»*  Heaven  be  merciful !  I  do  not."  / 

"  Have  you  no  idea  ?  Is  there  no  clew  ?  Speak  ;  for 
if  there  is  law  or  justice  in  the  land,  thosj6  who  have  done 
(bis  deed  shall  suflfer."  / 

"The  only  clew  is  one  so  slight  ^at  isven  now  I  do 
flot  know  whether  I  really  saw  it  or  dreamed  that  I  did," 
faid  Sibyl,  hesitatingly. 

"  Speak,  and  tell  me  what  it  is.  I  must  know,"  saiH 
Mrs.  Tom,  with  a  sort  of  grim  vengeance.  ^ 

^  *  "  Then  listen.  Last  night  aftpr  the  n\oon  rose — some 
<wo  hours,  I  should  judge,  after  I  heard  that  cry  of  mur- 
der—^on  going  to  the  window  to  look  out,  I  perceived  a 
Ooat  push, off  fi'om  the  shore  c6niaining  the  forms  of  two 
men  ;  but  so  speedily  did  they  vanish  from  sight,  that  I 
bad  barely  time  to  catch  the^  dark  outlines  of  their  figures, 
s  irati  passed-  so  quiddy,  Pam  stitl  haTf  diSppsed  to 
^(ieve  it  tjie  eflectjof  fancy." 

"No  boat  cou(d  rc»ch  ti^d  island  in  the  storm  last 


/ 


•n-^,  Fk> 


■(f 


\  MX^pjm   IN  TBB  ISLAJfD.  tO 

i  '"     -     "    ■■  "■'  '""■^■".i«  "        .        ;-* 

night,"  said  MM  Tom,  still  keeping  her  gloomr  eves 
,    6xed  on  Sibyl's  fa^e.  ;*         '^  ^^ 

J  know  that ;  anS  that  is  the  principal  reason  I  have 
for  thinking  xvhat  I  saw  may  be  the  eflfect  of  fancy.  And 
yet— and  yet  someone  must  have  been  here,  else  how  arc 
we  to  a&ount  for  the  committing  of  the  deed?  AmT 
\Vhat  could  have  induced  Christie  to  go  out  in  such  a 
storm,  and  at  such  an  hour?" • 

"Ido  not  know  ;  it  is  all  wrapped  in  mystery,"  said 

Mrs.   Tom,  taking  the  handkerchief  and  turning  away 

"But  ni  find  ijt  out— I'll  discover  the  murderers,  if  i 

should  spehd.my  whole  life  in  seeking  for  them  myself."  ' 

"  What  do  you  mean  to  do  ?"  said  Sibyl,  anxi<|wsly.     • 

"To  have  the  island  searched  the  first  thing.    T  sup- 

pose  you  will  let  Lem  come  and  help  ?"  .  '     .  ^ 

"Of  course.     But  would'it  not  be  a  better  pla^  to  go 

over  to  N immediately,  and  inform  the  authorities, 

and  let  them  investigate  the  matter  ?" 

"Carl  shall  take  me  right  over,"  said  Mrs.  Tom. 
"  I  will  accompany  you,"  said  Sibyl ;  "  we  may  baOk 
be  needed  to  give  testimony." 

Half  an  hour  later,  the  boat,  containing  Carl?  Mrs. 
Tom,  and  Sibyl,  was  danciij^  over  the  water  in  the  dircc- 
tion  of  N — -,  to  electrify  the  community  by  the  announce- 
ment of  the  atrocious  deed.  ...  f^-'^< 
But  where,  mcmtime  was  Christie.'  Had  siic  really,' 
as  they  so  readily  supposed,  found  a  grave  beneath  the 
wild  waves?                                                             , 


'^ 


>i- 


M 


i     » ' 


5T¥|^; 


^i^sei... 


CHAPTER  XXfV. 


CHRISTIE. 


f  Then  she  took  up  her  burden  of  life  again. 

Saying  only,  •  It  might  have  been.*. 
God  pity  them  both  t  and  pity  us  all 
Who  vainly  the  dreams  of  youth  recall, 
^  For  of  all  >sad  words  of  tongue  or  pen, 

The  saddest  are  these,  *  It  might  have  been.' " 

V*      ,  WHITTIKfc 

WITH  tKe  cold  rain  falling  in  her  iFace,  the  colder 
wind  fanning  her  brow,  Christie  atVoke  from  that 
deep  swoon  that  had  been  mistaken  1|)r  death. 
She  opened  her  eyes,  and  gazed  vacantly  around,  but 
all  was  dark  as  Erebus.    There  was  a  roaring  sound,  as 
of  many  waters,  in  her  ears— a  vague,  dull  sense  of  some 
awful  calamity,  a  heavy,  suflfocating  feeling  in  her  chest, 
a  misty  consciousness  of  some  one  supporting  her  head.' 
Dark  and  dreary  was  the  night  around,  but  darker  arid 
drearier  lay  the  heart  in  he*;:  bosom.     Memory  made  a 
faint  effort  to  regain  its  power,  to  recall  lome  dreadful 
woe  that  pressed  like  leaden  weights  on  her  bosom  but 
in  vain..  Only  that  dull  aching  at  her  heart,  only  some 
past  unutterable  sorrow— that  was  all.  /   * 

Bodily  as  well  as  mentally  every  faculty  was  pros- 
trated. She  made  an  efifort  to  speak,  to  ask  what  had 
happened,  to  know  where  she  was  ;  but  her  lips  moved  in 
vain,  no  word  came  forth.  She  strove  to  rise,  but  at  the 
first  faint  motion  a  sudden  pang,  like  a  dagger-thrust 
L^^.*!^^.^?!!^  ^^^^^^'  ^"^  ^^^  ^^'^  '^^c^  ^n  a  deadly  swoon 


accHiore. 
VTlien  next  she  woke  to  consciousness  she  found  Jicr- 


^  "*  ' 


■SJhc- 


.-,,!,'?'' "■.Its. 


,^  \ 


':'.^^-^^^ 


»U  lying  in  a  bed,.with  the  brieht  im..h!n.  .i,-  •      '■ 
broad  patches  on  the.floor.   Meml^  ZlTy^Zl'^ 
» ^.hrono,  and  of  that  last  drcad/uT night  ste  ^^!^ 
fuly  prevented  from  recalling  anythW     Sh^T^ 
va.„   to  collect  her  thoughts*  J^^^^Z^ 

floor;  two  chairs  a  smaM  Tm      \f  ™"S''- »<«arpaed 

wearing-appa'^el  VV;,^'  r^id"  hltnlT Htf 
stand,  on  which  lay  tottles  linen  h«„l  A  .littio      , 

fl.led.ith  a  dark  lf,„id  l::;^''Zfn^r^  tA ' 

-ugh  which\L-:!:ii;rpeVe7heT;„dt^.t 

All  was   profoundly  still.    She  could  hear  the  fli*., 

sweet;  and  like  a  wearied  child  sh^e  clo^'  to  T^s  "„!  ' 
fell  into  a  deep  slumber.  /^  ^^  *°" 

sr::;rs:^^  xrr-^  -r^dZX  t 

■nore  her  eyes  wandered  round  the  r^m    Z'  ' 

PO.V  «,ad.  .t.rribic.aor.toresu^rirp^^e::''  W^,: 


•f^  »'..*^ 


.!(?>/*.„> 


,  *    IS 


Iftftr 


VEHISTIB. 


■  ^ 


*»,j 

'*■! 


wa«ph^?  What  had  happened?  Who  had  brought  her 
here?  A&her  mind  began  to  clear,  and  consciousness  to 
"return,  question  after  question  rose  to  her  %)S.  She 
closed  her  eyes,  and  struggled  tp  recall  the  past.  Grad- 
ually the  broken  links  in  the  chain  of  memory  began  to 
reunite.  She  recalled  the  note  Willard  had  sent  her,  that 
appointed  their  meeting  on  the  beach — that  night  of 
storm  and  tempest  through  whicii  she  had  gone  to  meet 
him — that  meeting — and  then,  with  a  pang  sharper  than 
death,  came  the  terrible  recollection  of  his  plunging  the 
knife  into  her  side.  ,  / 

She  could  £hink  no  further,  tM^  rectillecUon- of  that 
'dreadful  momenc  seemed  driving  her  mad.  •  She  madb  an 
effort  to  rise,  to  cry  out ;  but  just  then,  a  hand  wa^  laid 
soothingly  on  her  forehead,  and  a  voice  met  her  eai-,  say- 
ing: 

"Qently,  gently,  my,  child.  Thee  must  not  get  u^i. 
Here,  lie  still,  and  drink  this."  V-^^^ 

S  me  one— she  could  not  tell  whether  it  was  man  or 
voma^vj-was  bending  over  her,  and  holding  the  glass  to 
her  lips.  Too  weak  to  ricsist,  she  drank  it  ofiF,  and  almost 
instantaneously,  fell  into  a  deep  sleep. 

Days,  weeks  passed  before  conscioushess  returned. 
During  all  that  time  she  had  a  vague  idea  of  talking, 
raving  wildly,  incoherpntly  to  Willard — imploring  him 
not  t^  k.ill  her,  and  she  would  never  reveal  their  raar- 
nili^^^^|d  then  shrieking  aloud  as  though  again  she  felt 
ttfifllTOiPfeter i ng  her  bosom.  Sometimes,  too,  she  fan- 
cied Sibyl  standing  before  herj  with  her  wild,  black,  men- 
acing eyes,  as  she  hud  been  the  last  time  she  saw  her,  and 
i>nc€.  agaiBr^ould'  she  clasp  her  iittle,  pale  hand^  and 
piteously  implore  her  to  spare  her.  Anon  her  mood 
#ould  change  and  she  would  speak   in  low,  subdued 


/'  ,'.     /"%^'' 


;''.>A^«\VL^'u5ry.p;.:-i,-   >     i.nJ 


V" 


l-         •t""*^'^ -IJ' VI   v-»}vfi^« 


»*iM-fti;|l|j4pffBif*», 


oaaisTtB. 


m 


tones  of  Mrs.  Tom  and  Cari;  a«d  strive  to  rise  #«,,.  i^ 
then,  lallmg  back  ex^usted,  she  woald  vague  v  see  a 

Z  *" ''°''"<';    This,  too,  like  the  rcsl,  would  pas«  a^' 
We  and  thouglu  would  again  t„ra  time  be  blot.en;.';  '^ 
But  one  bright,  golden,  August  afffernoon    ih^ht  - 
eyes  opened,  no  linger  wild  wi^hTfiTs Tf  ver  W 

::rortrd"-r,:72^rur  .rt^'t 

n',Wl?''  "r  '"'*"'=   ""■""«  '»  ""«  tood  or  foot-  ■ 
pale,  th.n,  and  spiritual  as  a  shadow,  she  came  Lk  » - 

l.fe  once  more.     Her  feet  had  stood  on  ,hc  threshed  Z 
the  valley  of  the  shadow  of  death,  but  .hoy  were  n«  1° 
muted  to  pass  then^in  ;  and  the  soft  eyes  ried  fS 

I  '.t  "   r  '  •"  '"'•  -">"«"'8'«  "fre,^..  again, 
at  her  te  she'criH"""T  '"'=°'"S.     Frou,  .he  .^ind  .„ 
shine  tS '  MX  ,  r      T  "'"  '^"  "■<*^  """""I  "•"•'  sun 
ThT'   ^  u'       -i"  "  S'""^  °"  '«""  1^'e.  transparent  brZ 
Through  .he  opi„  door,  came  floating  in  the  deliS    ' 

."::hi„?o7-.rd  as- ""'  -- "'  ^ 

scene  st«.ling  into  her  heart,  too  w.^k  cten.o  thinly 
heard  a  footstep  beside  her,  a  hand  lightly  a~g  ^ 
N;o«.andtheyvoic,o..e.,,.eki„j^.Ca^^^ 

"How  does  thee  feel  to-day,  my  cMld ?" 
^^^         Christie  lifted  her  eyes  languidly.  ,„d  saw  « 


'Mi 


'■ '.'{&: 


t. 


|4- 


,i.. 


Wi 


CffiUSTUS. 


bendiagover  her.  He  might  have  been  forty  years  of 
age  ;  short,  square,  and  ungainly  in  form,  but  with  a 
chest  and  shoulders  betokening  vast,  almost  herculean 
strength.  His  hair  was  almost  vvhite,.but  dark  streaks 
-here  and  there  showed  what  had  been  its  origin;il  color  ; 
his  face,  with  its  irregular  features,  would  have  been  pos- 
itively ugly,  had  it  not  been  for  the  expression  of  benevo- 
lence,  of  quiet  goodness— the  gentle,  tender  look  it  wore, 
that  seemed  shedding  a  very  halo  atound  it,  and  you  for- 
got th^  brown  skin,  the  roi^gh,  large  features,  the  bushy 
eyebrows,  and  stony  gray  eyes  in  the  almost  womanly 
sweetness  and  softness  of  his  smile.  His  dress  was  a 
long,  drab  coat,  with  blue  homespun  vest  iind  trousers, 

.  At  any  other  time  this  ufiexpected  apparition  might 
have  alarmed  Christie,  but  that  gentle  voice  reassured 
her  ;  and  she  answered,  faintly  ; 

'1  Better,  thank  you." 

"  That  is  well.     Thee  feels  weak,  does  thee  not  ?" 

**Oh,  yes— so  weak,"  she  said,  closing  her  eyes. 
-  ^     "  Well,  I  expected  as  much.     Thee  has  been  very,  very 
ill,'  said  the'  man,  adjusting  a  pillow,  and  shading  the 
light,  with  the  skillful  hand  of  a  practiced  nurse." 

A  thousand  questions  were  rising  to  Christie's  lips, 
but  she  was  too  utterly  prostrated  to  give  them  voice. 
She  fixed  her_e^es  wistfu41y  on  the  man's  face  with  a 
questioning  gaze  that  brought  him  once  more  to  her  skie. 

"  Well,  my  daughter,  what  does  thee  now  want  ?" 

"Tell  me"— the  faipt  whisper  died  away,  arid  totally 
exhausted,  the  hand  she  had  half  raised  fell  again  by  her 
«ide. 

"  Does  thee  want  to  know  how  thou  earnest  here  ?" 


Arfahit  motion  of  her  headTanff  that  eaj^er,  inquiiing 

l^sc^  was  the  sole  reply  she  could  make. 


^^Ji^SSS^^iTTr^ 


w^^m^' 


'Y  •  "?f)^'v^n*.;^-  i 


"'^J* 


cmusfm 


^W*T' 


untiWhr.^ T"* ^^"^  '°**  ""^^'  '^««  »«d  better  waft 
untrKthee  .s  stronger,  child,"  said  the  man,  gentle 

troubfedTnT-      f\'^'"'^^  «^«P^^'  ^^^   ^^^t  wild, 
troubled  nnponng  look  still  riveted  on  her  ftce. 

nj  J  u  ""^  ^^^^  °°^^^«  ^ach  one  wild  stormv 

night,  three  weeks  ago.3vounded  nigh  unto  ^^,^r         I 

•Im^r''''''^ ""'  man  read  her  thoughts  in  that  eaeer 

.   almost  passionate  gaze,  for  he  said-  ""m  eager, 

■'  Thee  wants  to  aslt  ho«r  I  came  on  the  island  ,h.,^ 

.   night,  does  thee  not  ?"    '  °  '"■' 

She  made  it  faint  motion  in  the  affirmative. 

mv  cldM '  Th     ''\'°°  '°"Sr  a  story  for  thee  ,o  hear  .low 
ray  child.     When  thou  art  stronger  I  will  tell  Th^    ii      = 
Res.  content  with  knovving'that  °hou  aTt  safe  anrw^ol      ' 
inends  who  will  rnr*»  f,»r  tu  i.        ;  '      °  ^*''* 

own.    ThouI'l'stTHnTthu";;  '""^''  ""•"  «'"'  "^'f  ^ 

-tr^ZuT''"^  -ore-one  on  which  more  than  life  J 
•tr^ngth  depended.    WiUard  !  Willard  !  she  ^_^^ 

Pushing  bacit  the  proffered  drink    whirb  ".h- '  t 

lected  all  her  energ,..  f„r  th,  .IIornad.«aa^^^ 


"^ 


|»V^j-    'ft.' 


"^-^^^ 


f' 


'W 


m 


BM 


OHBISTIB 


me 


"  Was  there — did  you  see  the  one  who— who  wounded    % 


"  No,  my  dauQfhter  ;  the  assassin  had  fled,  most  proba- 
bly. I  saw  no  one  but  thee,  and  made  no  further  search. 
Now  thee  must  not  talk  just  yet.  In  two  or  three  days 
thee  will  be  stronger,  and  then  I  will  tell  thee  everything 
thee  wishes  to  know."  — 

T^oo  weak  to  resist,  and  deeply  relieved  that  he  had 
not  seen  Willard,  she  quaffed  the  proffered  draught,  that 
brougl^Kwith  it  balmy  sleep'.  , 

.Duringlihe  next  two  or  three  days  the  man  was  her 
most  zealous  nurse,  tending  her  with  a  zeal,  care,  and 
gentle  solicitude  few  nurses  could  have  equaled,  but 
resisting  all  her  efforts  to  draw  him  into  conversation. 

"By  and  by,  daughter.  Be  patient,  and  thee  will 
learn  all,"  was  ever  his  firm  reply,  given,  however,  hi  the 
very  gentlest  of  tones. 

Left  thus  to  herself  and  her  own  thoughts,  as  she  grew 
stronger,  Christie's  mind  strove  to  comprehend  and 
jftccount  for  the  motive  that  had  prompted  Willard  to 
Qommit  so  dreadful  a  deed.  That  it  was  he  she  never  for 
a  moment  thought  of  doubting.  That  the  aqt  had  been 
premeditated,  the  note  he  sent  her  appointing;  the  meet- 
ing, on  that  lonely  spot,  at  the  dead  hour  of  the  night, 
fully  proved.  But  his  motive  ?  That,  too,  she  had  set- 
tled in  her  own  mind.  She  had  heard  that  he  loved 
Sibyl  Campbell  before  he  met  her.  Now,  Sibyl  was  an 
heiress,  courted  and  admired  by  all  for  her  beauty  and 
.  wealth ;  what  so  natural,  then,  as  that  he  should  wish  to 
make  this  peerless  Queen  of  the  Isle  his  bride  ?  Slje  was 
iiic  .imlj^^  sto^  in  his  way  ;  rherefnre.  he 


had,  no  dQubt,  resolved  to  murder  her,  to  make  way  for 
SibyL    P«rhaps/too,  he  had  heard  her  message  to  Sibyl, 


.    uS^  i  i  '"4^    ,«  ^»A^SM''^A**t  Ljf"i5*i%£(JC'.  ■< 


m- 


I  r.\ 


OBmSTlB. 


\ 


M 


V 


Mir 


IM' 


Long  before,  she  had  felt  he  xvas  tired  owjmim^m^  u- 
had  n<..r  before  dreamed  he  wished  of  hf^^'^ 
she  elt  as  firmly  convinced  that  it  xv-ys^^mS'' 
struck  the  blow-she  felt  is  (Irmi  .^^^IS^^^ 

th^e  were  his  motivL^^s  sh    ^^r;^::^^ 
and  yet,  in  the  face  of  all  rhic     u     ,  ^   existence  ,v. 

-resolved  he  should  nevfrk.JrofLr'''   ""'    "" 
wmild.no  Jonircr  stanrf  h„,        T  "istenc^;  she 

"o"i<neverfe::.ro';^;r;dt"'erd'7'''""f  "^ 

led; she  would  fly  far  -.wav  Ih!  '°  """'^  "J""- 

<hedep,bsof.hef^  «°  vlhthT      .""^  ""'*"  ''"«  '» 
if  !.e  would  permit  iX  --^l"".  whoever  he  wa,^ 

would  ...ey  accou4  t  L   l":etlir  ""•     "'^ 

would  .hey  pu.  on   her  sudd^  fl^I^^T    <,?°"''™«'™ 

,  jell:  but  she  felt,  long  before  i"is  1^'    ,u^'"°  ,'=°""'  "<" 

h"  up  for  los,,.«„dTl,it  grief  D   er  I     ^^  '"""  «'"'"• 

for  hours  af.rwSi;^  hf  ^r^f  It" 'n'''''- •'^•.^"''' 
shine,  •willine  to  si.hmi,  „   •    ,         ^'"P"S  "•  ihc  suo- 

"■««reamof  life VuitTo  I°''r!V°'''"'"""»8<'°™  J 
»«  rilled..  ^^       "'  ""'"'='' "«  *«y  the  cup  J 


^ 


:♦'  J 


,f*^ 


/ 


tk  V 


'•'ii^ik^. 


Kt4.M4 


'f*'ii  **»»%. 


/^..1i 


j_.^^^J.  '>s 


m$ 


OHBiaflB. 


Her  strange,  rough-lopking,  but  really  gentle  nurse 
'was  still  indefatigable  in' his  cares  for  her  ;  but,  as  yet, 
he  had  told  her  nothing  of  himself,  nor  his  object  in  vis- 
iting the  island  that  nig4it.  Christie  used  to  look  up  in 
j  his  hafdy,  honest  fac&  sometimes,  and  wonder  vaguely,  as 
1  she  did  everything  else,  what  possible  reason  could  have 
brought  him  there. 

One  other  circumstance  perplexed  her  not  a  little. 
Once  or  twice  she  had  caught  sight  of  a  female  forrti  and 
face  moving  about  in  the  outer  room.  It  had  been  only 
a  momentary  glimpse^  and  yet  it  vividly  recalled  the 
wild,  weird  woman  she  had  seen  in  the  island  on  her  bri- 
dal night.  There  was  the  same  pale,  strange  face;  the 
same  wild,  streaming  black  hair  ;  the  same  dark,  woeful 
eyes  ;  and  Christie  trembled  in  superstitious  terror  as  she 
thought  of  her.  Many  times,  too,  she  heard  a  lights  quick 
footstep  moving  about,  which  she  knew  coulql  not  belong 
to  her  liost  ;  the  soft  rustling  of  female  garments  ;  and  at 
times,  but  very  rarely,  a,  low,  qjusical  voice,  talking  softly, 
as  if  to  herselff  "  * 

All  this  perplexed  and  troubled  Christie ;  and  she 
would  have  asked  the  man  about  Irejir,  only — as  he  never 
by  any  chance  mentioned  her  himself — she  feared  offend- 
ing him  by  what  might  seem  impertinent  curiosity  ^ 

In  a  few  days  Christie  was  well  enough  to  sit  up  at 
the  window  of  her  room,  and  drink  in  the  health-giving, 
exhilarating  air,  and  listen  to  the  songs  of  the  birds  in 
the  trees  around.  She  saw  this  hut — 'for  it  was  little 
more — was  situated  in  the  very, depths  of  the  great  forest, 
far  removed  from  every  other  habitation.  As  yet,  she 
had  not  stepped  b^ond  the  preqi^icts  of  her  narrow 
chamber ;'  but,  one  morning,  tempted  out  by  the  genial 


^•-\  li 


;         ClIMfSTIM 

scarcely  lamer  than   th.Z^  \  small,  square  apartmenr, 

uncurtained  windows  admitted  the  brithf  *  ^  '°'^"' 
opposite  the  door  was  a  low  sm\  f  .  ""°^^/'^^^°d 
A  bed  occupied  one  corner  aL^^^^^^^"^  ^re.pU<^ 
table  the  other  '  ^^  ^  Pnmuive.looking  deal 

,  No  one  was  in  the  *-oom  •  hut  th^  ^ 
a....  in  the  porch  beyondclis^   ^sZiZZ'tT'^- 
s....ng  on  the  grouna.  ,vi.h  her  back  ,oV^S  h^r     TH 

'an  excited  imagination,  b,.  ^^ola  ale  he^ilP  1 
-curmsuy   proving  stronger  than  drld    Ph  "       '  ?"" 

n,o:rd"htti~  eSed'To":  ""'  f  ^"  -■  ' 
over  her  shoulde-  unnoS      A   LT'""'^  ""  '°'^''    ' 
'     kitten  was  in  her  U,.,\  *  ^'^^  =""1  "•''«• 

•»u„da£terastrlwhi.T  ,h     "■'"'  'P'""'°8  """O  "d 
J  now  and  tl  en  brLk,„  J     ,       "T""  ''"''  """"^  '»  i^. 

'or^ZesVelVbll'T?"'"'  -""P"'--  "eld  Christie 

her  a'nd  uent  oiit.       .  ""^  ^"'^^  "^'^self,  she  passed 

l^"iJ^ jgogicni  rhg,gtrange  woman  tQ6lrw^«n  t ir— 

occupation  and  trUnc^rT^  nT    ■     '°°*^»P  ^rom  BeT 

^>.....otice.refiLrh::^--iri^-.t^: 


H' 


'Tf.zrjsi 


258 


CHBISTIB. 


if  «lie  had  not  seen  her  at  all.  But  in  tihat  one  brief, 
fleeting  glance,  Chwstie  read  her  sad  storjr^  The  woman 
before  her  was  insane. 

In  mingled  sorrovY,  surprise,  and  curii)sity,  Christie 
stood  gazing  upon  her.  She  could  do  soj  with  perfect 
impunity,  for  the  \voman  rf^er  raised  her  eVes  to  look  at 
her  after  that  one  careless^  passing  glance,,  every  faculty 
being  apparently  absorbed  by")lier  straw  anp  her  kitten. 
In  5'ears,  she  might  have  been  five  and-thirty,  with  a  face 
which,  it  spite  of  its  total  want  of  expression,  was  still 
singularly  beautiful.  Her  tall,  slender  form  was  exqui- 
sitely" rounded,  and  her  long,  rich,  waving  hair  floated 
like  black  raveled  silk  over  her  fair,  sloping  shoulders. 
Eycrry  feature  was  beautifully  chiseled  ;  her  complexibn 
dazzlingly  fair,  almost  transparent ;  and  her  large,  black, 
brilliant  eyes  magnificent,  despite  their  vacant,  idiotic 
stare.  Her  hands  and  feet  were  of  most  aristocratic 
smallness  and  whiteness  ;  for  she  wore  neither  shoes  nor 
stockings.  Her  dress  was  of  coarse  brown  serge,  but  it 
could  not  mar  the  beautiful  form  it  covered. 

Moments  passed  unheeded,  while  Christie  stood  gaz- 
ing sadly  on  the  lovely  wreck  of  womanhood  before  her, 
and  wondering  wljat  could  have  driven  her  insane,  and 
why  she  and  this  man  dwelt  alone  here,  so  far  removed 
from  human  habitation.  She  wondered  what  relation 
they  bore  to  each  other.  He  could  not  be  her  father- 
he  w  Jis  not  old  enough  fpr  that ;  neither  could  he  be  her 
brother — they  were  too  totally  dissimHar  in  looks.  Per- 
haps he  was  her  husband  ;  but  even  that  did  not  seem 
probable. 
vx  While  she  thus  idly  speculated,  the  woman  suddenly 


Lv  ■* 


%: 


arose,  and  clasping  lier  kitten  in  her  arms,  turped  and 
walked  rapidly  away  in  the  direction  of  the  WQods,  with* 


m^^m^ 


OBRISTIB. 


S59 

"  Who  .v.,  she  be  ?"  thought  Christie  ;  "  it  is  certainly 
the  same  one  I  sa.  that  nigh,  on  the  is  and  h„"gh "he 
was  ravjng  ™ad,  and  this  one  seems  perfect  y  Si«! 

i' r.CnrTor:rs:r  rh'-^= """^ 

account  for  it."  ^"^  "'  ""  «»»■  i»ve>.tio*  to. 

The  thought  brought  bacit  the  past  so  vtVidly  to  hir 
m.nd  tl«t  the  maniac  was  forgotten,  and.  sTttiidot^- 
on  a  fallen  tree,  she  buried   her  face  in  her  hafdsanS 
gave  way  to  a  passionate  burst  of  grief 

never rasted'^on.r:-    ?"'"''^  ^'"^^^^  "'^"-^ 
never  lasted  long,  but  exhausted  themselves  by  their  verv 

violence,  and  she  arose  to  survey  the  ptace  which  s^mlj 
destined  to  be  her  future  home.  " 

a  sort  of  natural  serai-circle,  surrounded  on  all  sides  by 
the  dense  primeval  forest.  A  smooth  grass-plot  sTooeJ 
geatly,  for  some  three,  yards  in  front  of  the  hois,  a^d 
hea  was  broken  on  one  side  by  clumps  of  bUsherrnd  on 
Ihe  other  by  a  little  clear,  crystal   stream    that   dan.^ 

lilt  bT'^h'  ir''''"-'"'^'"-^  "k«  pearU  t  theW 
l.ght.  Behind  the  house,  was  a  sort  of  vegetable  garden 
with  a  narrow  space  reserved  for  flow.rs,Voke„Cthe 
/^fined  uste,  of  the  gartener.  The  house  itself  was  flow 
rough,  unpretending  looking  cabin  of  the  smallest  al!l' 
P^ain^  dimensions.  No.  a  sound  broke  the  d«psmt 
..Wss,  save  the  musical  ripple  of  the  little  stream    the. 

a^^TT^'  P  P°*=*  °f  'h^  «:™e  passed  ii»o 

Chnst.es  heart,  8„o.hing  i.  into  calmness  once  more. 

A»  .he  Mt  gazing  around,  a  heavy  footstep  amt 


* 


vi 


f 


%&v 


'i^-  .ij.-.', 


pi 


t?M: 


l"r.i 


era«hing  through  the  trees,  and  the  ne^<  mooieot  her  host 
stood  befqre  her,  with  a  gun  in  one  hand,  an4  a  gcMa^e-bag, 
well  filled,  slung  overiiis  shoulder. 

He  advanced  to  where  she  sat,  looking  surprised  »ll^ 
pleased  to  see  her  there.     - 

"So  thee  has  ventured  out,  my  daughter!"  he  said, 
with.his  kindly  voice  and  kindlier  smile.  "I  am  glad  to 
see  thee  able  to  leai^  thy  room  once  more.*' 

"  Yes  ;  the  day  was  so  fine  and  the  sunshiny  so  bright 
and  warm,  I  could  not  resist  the  temptation,"  said-Chris- 
tie.    **  I  see  you  have  been  shooting  with  good  success." 

"Yes  ;  game  is  plenty  in  our  woods,"  be  answered, 
replacing  his  gun  ^<^n  a  couple  of  books  in  the  porch. 
"But  thee  hai8  better  come  in  now;  it  is  not  good  for 
thee  to  sit  too  long  in  the  hot  sun,  thee  knows." 

Christie  rose  half  reluctantly  and  followed  him  into 
the  house.  ,  - 

Th^man  drew  a  low  wicker  rocking-chair  close  to  the 
open  window,  and  said  :       '» 

"Sit  thee  there,  child.     I  know  invalids,  like  thee,  like  | 
to  rock  back  and  forward ;  it's  very  quieting  to  the  feel- 
ings.    I  must  get  the  dinner,  now." 

"  Let  me  help  you,"  said  Christie,  anxiotis  to  be  use-  | 
ful.     "  Let  me  get  the  dinner," 

*'  By  no  means,  daughter,"  said  th©'  mai^  with  his- 
pleasant  smile ;  "  thee  is  too  weak  to  work  yet,  and 
besides,  I  have  nothing  else  to  do.  Sit  thee  down  there, 
fot,  now  that  thee  is  strong  enough  to  bear  it,.I  want  to 
have  a  little  talk  with  thee." 
i;  Christie  sank  anxiously  into  the  chair,  and  waited  for 
couie. — The^mam  took-ft7bfttce.t>fp»rntdgy 


of  his  bag,  and,  placing  them  on  the  table,  drew  up 


'  CBRISTIS.  -*. 

an 

hfschafr,  and  began  taking- otf  the  feathirc  *«^ 

ing  with  Christie  at  the  sale  time  ''"'**""-*'^^  ^°»^ers- 

r^^;^  "^^'l  '  ^^^^^^  ^^^«  to  know  what  is 

"Christie,"  was  the  response.     .  <  ■    ^ 

"  Hast  thee  no  other  ?''"  "* 

"I  am  sometimes  called  Tomlinson  h.,t  *i,o»  • 
Where  IS  thy  native  place?" 

"Ah  !  said  the  man,  in  some  surprise  "if  T  h^^  t 
tha,  I  would  not  have  brouRluthee^h":     nL:l"Z 
was  a  stranger     Does  .hoe  W„„g  to  the  Ca    pbTl  s  A 
No,  sir;   I  lived  with  Mrs    Tnm    .k.    ^7?      '  . 
resides  in  the  island  "       '  '  "**  T'"'"'  "•"> 

.e.:  :L:Vo"Jnx:  ±s' trf""^''""''^ = " '  •■-« 
a.  p.tLr;::-rLTnrr;rt^i;L^^^^^ 

do  so  without  involving  others,  and    hlf  1  iTZ, 
.o  do,    rephed  Christie,  .tying  to  steady  her  trel^ 

"  As  thee  pleases,  child,  as  thee  oleaafii  "  d^  .i, 
kmdiy.    ..  bo  not  speak  of  it,  if Tt  huTtf^hv  fc,  -  ■"'"; 
merely  asked  from  the  in.er«t  I  take  'n  tS«     Buf  h 
<>b„„t  returning  to  thy  friend,  ?    Th4  wIshM  to  do  ^"r 
siipposje  ?"  '  wisncs  to  do  so,  I 

"dJ^  *  J^i."*^"  "'»'• '°  »"  '"'ek  again  I"^    ' 
Do«  th«  not?"  «id  her  host  flxlog  h'^^gw' 


;%; 


'*     1, 


Ifctfe  rfiwW-Vui-*  \tr 


';'  ,Ji* 


3E?ru'5t'; 


Ml-' 


m^^ 


1^ 


\^ 


A^has 


:i 


^f. 


V" 


r4.- 


I^ttj  ten  3/*t>u.  sa 

OT^o  blame ;  and 

fhink  of  me  as  liv- 

em,  there"  are  many 

life ;  ai^d  as  they  ajl 


bowing  her  face 
(■  wild,  passionate 


itfiy  and  compas- 
'  till  f^e  violence 
n  he  inquired,  in 


i^ 


-but  no| 
tlie  onjl; 
ing  bell 
who 

think  meabad;  |%i^pid  1(>  toe-so 

!*      All-  her'couragii^  gav6  ^ay  her? 

Ij|!i  her  ^nds^  sheave  way  to  one 

'bll^df  tear^;,  ^k  . «  .  '  •'  ."•'  '^^    . 

'  ^Sm^:  man's  face  ^pressed  deftp 

sion  }|m  ctjrf  not  specie  nor  interrii 

of  her  ^^»|fin^grief  was  abated,  an 

his  custc^liry,  quiet  tone  :     "         ' 

"  And  wlfat  does  thee  intend  to  do,  my  daughter  ?"  , 

*ll  do  riot  know  yet,"  sald<  Chrisuid,  raisirig  her  bead 
'gl  WTO  go  away  somlewhenp  and  work  for  my  living 
Wheire  ^  will  never  be  heard  of  again." 

"Poor  little  one,  wfcat can  thee  do  for  a  living ?"  said 
th^  man, tf^fdiii^assionat^ly.  "Thee  is  too  small  and  deli- 
cate to  work,  and  nevdr  was  made  to  buffet  the  storms  of 
this  rougji  World."        / 

"  r^»  not  have  tb' wait  long.  T  will  die  !"  sard  Chris- 
tie, sadly.  / 

"  Thai  thee  will,  if  thee  takes  thy  piftce  among  the 
workers  in  the  outer  circle  oi^ile.    So  theip  is  fully  de 
mined  never  t6  go  back  to  th|H»ends  ?" 

"  Oh,  never,  liever  I  -l  \v^v|Hf  rather  die.    All  I  vr'i 
all  I  hope  and  pray  .far,  is  that  they  i^ver  discover  I 
-ulive.' 


R" 


r*^'--.^ 


**  Then  stay  with  us ;  thee  will  not  have  to^work  at  alt, 
|Ad  BO  one  will  ever  hear  of  the^  aa^  mor.e  than  UI.'lM^ 


ife. 


tl*.£^f^-»'«i*, 


-li-. 


:XS^':; 


-  1         1    * 


is  of  miks  away.     We  are  buried  here  in 
L^    "    ^  v/^  °  ^^®  forest,  where  people  very  rarely 

^  T:^u.  ""^  °"^  ^'"^  ^**™^'  '^^^«  ^^"^d  easily  be  con- 
cealed nil  he  went  away.  I  kno^^it  is  dull, and  londy 
Mere,  but  th^  will  get  reconciled  to  that  in  time  " 

/•  Oh,  this  is  just  what  I  wished,  but  T  hardly  dared 
.hope   for!'    exclaimed    Christie,    with    sparkling  -J/^s 
How  can  I  ever  thank  you  for  your  generous  offfr  r^    I 
I  do  not  wish  for  thanks,  my  daughter;  and' thee 

mo  e     xf  "%'?"'  '''"^''^'  ^^  not^  mentioning  it 

Bertha  h"  '  ^'  """'  "^''"^'  ^"^  ^^"  take  car^^lf 
Bertha,  who  ,s  msane.  but  quite  harmless.  Thou  hast 
seen  hert  has  thee  not  ?"  ,  ^' 

Y. J"^^^  ^^^k"?^  .'^'""^"  ^'^^  '^^^  '^^^  h^ir  and  eyes  ? 
Yes;    replied  Christie.  ■'^^       , . 

.        ''Then  that  is  settled,"  said  the  man,  with  a  smile  r 
^and  now   that  I  have  questioned,  tl,^  it  i.  thy  Turn 
Does  thee  wish  to  ask  soipethipg  ?•* 

\/?^7^^'  ^''''''  '''  ""^"^  *^"°S^''"  ^^d  Christie  ;  V  but  I 
am  afraid  you  may  not  like-that  you  may  be  offended." 
There  is  no  danger  of  that,  my  daughter,     i  may  not 
choose  to  answer  some  of  thy  questions,  but  I  will  not  be 
offended,  let  thee  say  what  thee  ^iJ/'j;.      %  AP^ 
^  ;•  Well,  then-  said  Ch^s.^#a  l£ s^,  .,, 
I%gm  catech.sipg  after  t he jtml  fashion  as  yibrS^may 
(ask  your  name  and  that  o^thc  laciy\>h^  lives  hereV^  "^ 
I       les  ;  her  narnf^  i<=  Rrtr^u^  /-< l  ■. 

peerwood;  thee 
likes:*     ; 

"  Theh  she  is  no  relati 


in 


"V*o.i,^  .     "-■   5f"'^  •""J' w"«»  "vesnere.""    «. 

=™rcj^^i,""""  "  ^""^  Campbell-mine  i.,Re,Sbef 
""rood:  thee  ■„,y  call  me  Uncle  Jfeuben,  if  iftee 


RW 


toy  to  youL^ 


^'' 


SBels  ray  cousin—no  more. 
"Once  before,"  said  Chrisl 
*|>out  Tmw  you  came  to  be 


*r^ 


'•4Hj  ;to;>*At 


atingly,  "  I  asked* 
and  thai!  ilonny^'*^^ 


A^if^  ..W' 


amisrm    ^^ 


>^ 


-\ 


1-^^     . 


nfght.    You  did  not  tell  me  then.    May  I  repeat  the  ques- 
tion now  ?" 

"  Certainly.  Bertha,  though  usually  quiet,  has  certain 
paroxysms  of  violence,  during  which,  with  the  usual  cun- 
ning of  insanity,  she  sometimes  eludes  my  vigilance  and 
escapes.  On  these  occasions  she  goes  down  to  the  shore, 
takes  A  boat,  and  goes  over  to  the  island.  I,  of  course, 
follow  her ;  and  it  was  on^  of  these  times  I  happened  to  be 
there.  Th$it  afternoon  she  had  gone  over,  and.  was  wan- 
dering through  the  pine  woodSt__JLji^ht  after  Jier,  and 
iust  reached  the  isla-nd  as  that  furious  storm  came  on.  I 
wandefed  around  for  a  long  time  without  finding  her,  and 
in  mty  search,  somewhere  about  midnight^  I  providentially 
ch^tlced  to  reach  the  spotuwhere  thee  lay  wounded  and 
exposed  to  the  fury  of  the  storm.  The  tide  was  rising  on 
the  shore,  and  five  minutes/ later  thee  would  have  been 

•swept  away.  I-lifted  thee  in  my  arms  and  carried  thee 
down  to  the  boat^  instead  of  following  my  first  intention 

^  of  leaving  thee  at  tlje  cottage  on  at, Campbell's  Lodge.  I 
did  not  wisli  to  let  it  b«known  I  was  on  the  island.  Then 
T  heard  a  voic€f  screaming  '  Murder  !'  and  knew  it  must  be 
Bertha  ;  so  I  set  off  td  look  for  her^gain,'and  found  her 
just  coming  out  of  the  lodge.  I  had  to  bind  her  hand  and 
foor  and  tie  a  handkerchief  over  her  mouth  to  keep  her 
quiet  ;  and  there  I  Availed  till  ihe  storm  had  abated. 

"  It  was  near  noon  the  next  day  wlien  we  reached  the 
5horC|  a  quoirtcr  of  a  mile  below  here, ;  and  Bertha'a  par-  i\ 
oxysm  bdng  ovef,  she  followed  me  quietly  home,  while 
i  carried  thee.     I  feared  Ihee  v/as  dead  fpr  a  long  time, 
and  only  f  happened  to  have  some  knowledge  of  surgery, 

That  is  the~whoie 


Ttigg^neTCT  wou  Id  have  recovered. 


N- 


histbry,"  said  Uncle  Reuben,  rising  with  a  smile,  and 
bftogiti^  his  pani1dgB»^^bveit  tiMifiire  toT^^ 


It'r^ 


i  '■'- 


i>^ 


CBBiBTlB, 


8Doke"^Th!l         '"''""  ^  '^"  ™^^^  °^  Christie  while  he 

feeing  haunted  ""  *"^  ^"*^  «^'^^"  ^^  '^e  name  of 

VMay  Iasfc,"shesaid,  eac-erlv  "if »»,:      -i «      .  -^ 

been  in  the  hahit  of  visiti^X^Iand  r  ^~'^  ^^"'*  '^^• 

bad  turns,  an,  geoeiaV^IL:    Z  T^Z  t^'  Tj 
though   sometimes   I  prevent   her     ^1^^^  ''**"'*' 

her  there?"  f' «^ent   ner.     Has  thee  ever  seen 

"  Ves,  oaae,"  said  Christie  ?  "  hn^  t  ♦!,       u     , 
spirit."  ^""^"®V    but  I  thought  she  was  » 

The  man's  face  clouded 

teU  if  f«  fu       -r  ,  '         ^  crime.     Some  day  I  will 

tell  It  to  thee,  if  thee  reminds  me  of  it  "  ^         ' 

■\    ^  How  long  has  she  been  insane?"  -     :    *        • 

1       Nearly  fourteen  years."  . 

"A  long  time,  indeed.     I  should  like  to  h^^  i,      ..-^^ 
tory  very  much.     Do,^u  not  feal^h!  h  '  *'*'" 

^.and  now  ?    I  saw  her^o  1^^^^-  K  4^.^ 

ortotktrtS;^^re^:- 

sheis"henrfH^7       u         ^"^;Soon  be  back-and  here 

ner  arms;  H^^  without  looking  df 


^••, 


■w 


and  bctran  snrn««  •'        s«»%pown  on  a  low  stool 

°  DCgan  sorting  some  pine  cones-held  in  her  i^ 


'at%ijsagfc 


> 


^n 


'•ni^^it 


y. 


m^ 


-p 


S60 


r  % 

y^^'. 


CBltJSTJK 


^     i 


f#***^ 


sjiBi.. 


■  All  this  time  tl^il^n  Reuben  had  been  getting  dinner 
and  setting  the:t.aM»;  proving  hi nrself  to  be  as  good  a, 
cook  as  a  nurse.     |f^  a  fevy^inutes  it  was  smoking  on 
the  table,   and  pjert  he  went  over,  and,   touching  the 
woman  on  the  slWu.lder,  said  gently  : 
'*  Is  thee  ready  for  dinner,  Bertha  ?" 
'"■"Yes,"  she'said,  risin^^romptly  and  taking  her  seat. 

Christie  topk  the  |)lac«?j  pbiuted  out  xo  her,^nd  Uncle 
Reuben,  taking  thfe  head  of  the  table,  did  the  honors. 

Then,  vhen  the  meal  was  over,  Bertha  resumed  her 
stool  and  her  t^e  cones  ;^hristic  took  the  rocking-chair 
by.the  windoM^  and  Reubertj*|)usied  himself  in  clearing 
•away  tjhe  dinner  dishes  and  setting  things  to  riglits. 

Weak  still,  and  exhausted  by  the  effor^  of  the  morn- 
ing, Cliristie  threw  herself  on  hrfr  bed*^rlog  the  co^fse 
of  the  aftijruoon,  and  fell  into  thp  profound  and  re/re^- 
ing  sleep  of  bodily  wearirieMrom^hich  the  did  nfet 
awaken  until  the  bustle  of  jpreparing  supper  aroused 

.^'^n  the  evendg  Reuben  took«l^n  an  6ld,  ^iquated 

looking  Bible  and  rea(jl  a  few  chapters  aloud,  k^^jhen^ 

they  all  rettfed  to  their  separate  couches.  «g^^  ■^. 

Anri  thus  began  Christie's  newiife— tytfe  of  ep-dless 

*  lOonlony,  bat  orie  of  perfect  peace.    A^HNjs  passed 

^  6n;  bringing  tiith^liem  no  change  or^ciilRient,  she 

graduallyAled  down  into  ^  sort  of  .iMamy  lethargy, 

disturbe^lhow  s^nd  then  as  some  circumstance  would 

forcibly  i^ll  ^H  she  had  loved  and  lost  forever,  by 

•tort,  passionjite    outbursts   of,  grief,  but  which  were 

followed  by  a  deeper  and  more  settled  melancholy 


jllyiraysfojil 


tb»tf 


ore. 


■flics'"  lW*i¥'j^fe*  .  i'^wgi^ffi'*-' 


i. 


'^% 


XBB  MAm^Cta  STOST. 


■^ 


u"U* 


CHAPTER  XXV.  ^  • 

"^  MAKTAC'3  STOlir. 

**  ^"  ^»»  «o"f»»«d  and  undefined 

AnS^°.''^'*"P*»«nd  fears— 
ButmlT  "* '•?.n?^'«''  now  in  tears. 

She  slN|  witU  that  conrufsiye  dream.  "-Bntoir 


-<^ 


AUTUMN  was  aOhand.    Th.  _     j 

"lering  throuuh  the  for...  »  P'""^"™  was  in  wan. 
i-4  of  N^„u,t  The  Ws'^L?r.  ""  ""'"*« 
restored  her  to  health  •  bu,  her  ,  ^!.  **  P"«*^  "»<» 
-Sstio  lightness  her  ;ote  h^H  ?P  •'"'  ""*  "^"^  *«• 
her  once  ro,^'  te  'ohel  h'd   .    .  f"  ""  ^'''  J"^"*  «»"«  i 

Sister  '^"■'-'h^^^'^z:',^ 

s«  her  fad*  away  before  ,o„rv  jry  «es  "  ""*"  ** 

ine  lorest,  with  do  companions  but  the  man  Reubm  LS 
lie  maniac  Berthi     r..»  w^  .  "euoen  ao^t 

^-       ,^  w«wo«^  air  teU  siie  never  wanted  to  leave  »h^  / 


■>■■ 


IV 


'iii-siii,  ,*' 


^^'^M^ 


W> 


THE  MANlACa  8T0BT. 


U- 


solltary  spot  again.  At  any  other  time  she  would  have 
shrank  in  terror  from  the  prospect  of  passing  the  long, 
dreary  winter  here,  when  even  the  comfort  of  these  walks 
would  be  denied  her.  How  little  did  she  dream  of  all 
that  was  to  occur  before  thjit  winter  came. 

Reuben's  journeys  to  N to  buy  necessaries  for  the 

little  family,  were  the  only  incidents  that  broke  the  unva- 
'  rying  monot»)ny  of  their  lif«.  At  first,  Christie  had  been 
somewhat  afraid  of  remaining  alone  with  Bertha;  but, 
finding  she  was,  as  Rouben  h.id  said,  perfectly  harmless- 
sitting  for  hours  together  playing  with  her  kitten — she 
had  soon  recovered  from  this  fear.  Love  was  a  necessity 
t)f  Christie's  life,  and  as  time  passed,  she  learned  to  love 
Bertha  with  a  deep,  earnest  love  that  sometimes  surprised 
even  herself.  The  maniac,  too,  in  her  fitfuV,  uncertain 
way,  seemed  to  return  this  love,  and  would  sit  for  half  a 
day  at  a  time,  with  her  head  lying  in  Christie's  lap,  and 
the  vacant,  childish  smile  on  her  face. 

As  for  Reuben,  no  one  could  know  him,  with  his  sim- 
ple goodness  and  benevolence,  without  loving  him  ;  and 
Christie  already  loved  and  revered  him  as  a  father,  while 
he  felt  an  affection  for  his  little  stray  waif,  second  only 
to  that  which  he  felt  for  Bertha. 

As  yet,  he  had  not  told  her  the  history  of  the  maniac  ; 
and  Christie,  for  the  most  part,  absorbed  in  her  own  sad 
thoughts,  had  almost  forgotten  it ;  but  one  cold  and 
blustering  night,  as  she  drew  her  low  rocking-ch^ir  up  to 
jthe  fire,  while  her  nimble  fingers  busily  flew  in'  making 
some  warm  clotj^ing  for  the  winter,  she  reminded  him  of 
his  promise,  and  urged  him  to  relate  it. 
-  Bertha' had  already  retifed,  and  lay  asleep -in  her  Ijed— 
■  iit  the  corner  of  the  kitchen  ;  and  Reuben,  his  day's  work 
idiocy  sat  opposite  Christie*  mft^ing  wicker-ba^li:ets»  which^ 


L^,_Wf 


'iua 


^r',h,''  -^r  ,''.'.--,   ^'^'^j?.C^.TJ\%;it^ftK|?SW'^rWJ;p^ 


.      s^        TZm  MAlflAOS   STOJSY. 

he  was  in  the  habit  of  taking  to  N at  intervkls,  to 

family  coi^stituted  the  principal  income  of  tkt 

"It  seems  a  sad  thing  to  recall  days  so  long  past,^ 
sa.d  Reuben,  with  a  sigh  ;  "  but  thee  deserves  to  kno;; 
Chnct.e,  for  waiting  so  long,  patiently.  And,  my 
daughter,  when  ihee  hears,  thee  may  think  it  Strang;  thai 
there  should  be  so  much  wickedness  in  this  worM  ;  but 
he  Lord  will  redeem    His   servants  in  His  own  good 

^  "Let  me  see;  it  requires  time  lo  look  so,  far  back 
My  father  was  a  farmer  living  in  Connecficut.  and' 
belonged  to  the  Society  of  Friends;  He  had  a  brother  it 
seems^a  wild  youth,  who  ran  away  at  the  age  of  sixteen, 
and  went  to  sea.  Eight  years  passed  before  they  received 
any  news  whether  he  was  living  or  dead,  and  then  a  letter 
came  to  my  father  from  him,  saying  he  was  in  Spain,  in  a 
p  ace  called  Grenada,  and  was  married  "to  a  Spanish  giri 
of  that  place.  s"*     ^ 

"  After  that,  for  fourteen  years  more,  we  heard  tiotn-    'V 
ing  else  from  him,  until  one  cold  winter's  night,  as  we 
were  all  sitting  round  the  fire,  there  came  a  knock  at  the 
door,  and  when   one  of  my  sisters  openedv-lt^a  man 
dressed  like  a  sailor,  entered,  leading  uMtt&irl  of 
twelve  years  by  the  hand.     That  man  wi^^LhJ* 
long-absent    brother,   whose  wife    was   dead    aid  X 
wished  to  place  the  child  with  his  friends  before  heJenJ   .1 
to  sea  again.    That  child  is  now  the  maniac  BerthTlhee 
sees  on  that  bed." 

!^!l^.!^!"''^.°>  !^P'  quivered  a  lirtl.  .c  ^^,^  ryrri  fell 


^^1 


'ti. 


WfteJHnbeau.it„l  face  „nh?sreeper,  and^SelST 
tened  with  a  look  of  the  deepest  interest 


^.-^'^H 

*^-, 

V 

'    T-s^H 

^H 

■  _   ■ 

\M 

^  ^rjMH 

w 

p 

'''**'5-^W„    ^        ^           ' 

M 

k 

h^i 

^^^^^1 

f 

^i         t      1                  y        — 

L^- 


TBS  MAmACB  8T0BT. 


h4 


.  Deo,  rsesuming  bi$  work, '^' was  tall«r  «ad  more  womanly, 
l<K>kiiig  than  many  girls- of  sixteen,  with  the  most  l;)|caiiti-" 
fill  face  thee  ever  saw  in  thy  life.     My  three  sistefs  were 
then  accounted  very  handsome  girls  bv  everybody,  but 
they  w^ere-no  more  to  be  (;pmpaftd  to  her  than  candles 
\     »re  to  stars.     They  had  fine,  healthy  features,  and  red 
,     cheeks,  and  round,  merry  faces,  but; she  had  a  dirk,  ovnl 
face,  with  long,  beautiful   biack  curls,  andlarge,  mclhri- 
choly,  dark  eyes-    Ah,  my  daughter,  ihec  looks  as  If  thee 
thought  her  beautiful  still,  but  she  is  n(;)thing  now:  to  what 
*    she  was  then.  >  .  '   .  « 

.,   "Bertha  could  spca|k%ery  little  English  then — hardly 
•'word — and  t  remenaber  how  Ch©.  villagers  usod  tp  laugh 
'•■  at  her  aitempts*to  talk  witb  them  ;  btit  when  they  lookjed 
at  her  mouming-dress,  and   sad,   beautiful    face,  their 
laughter  quickly  ceasod.  ^i 

V , ,     **.ller  father,  who,  though  not  Hch,  bad  some  raorn^, 
|Mrifibed  her  to  he  sertt  to  $ome  good  boardj^g^faoSl, 
^^here  she  could  acquins?  ft  good  education.    He  was  going, 
off  on  some  voya^fi.iB* which  he  expected  to  m«^e  hi| 
fi>rtune  ;  and  when  he  came  back,  lie  said  Bertha  should 
be  a  great  lady.    -  .  * 

"Accordingly,  three  weeks  after  she  cafat,  she  was 
Bi^nt  away  to  a  boarding-school,  and '  I  do  not  thipk  there- ; 
■"       was  cue  sorrter  to  bid  her  good-by  th.«|n  than  I  was.     Her 
father  the  next  day  went  awky  in  his  ship,  destined  to 
feoiQe  far-off  place,  which  he^'was  nevei^  doomed  to  reach, 
y^for  a  tnonth  aftm*  news  <came  that  the  vessel  was  wrecked, 
"Si^and  all  hjvhds  cast  away  ;  so  that  Bertha  bad  now  rto  liv- 
ing relatives  in  thi^  country  except  us.    >^  • 

*f  As  her  father  before  he  went  had  made  abundant 
•  \  provisi6n  f^r  her  schooHag,  in  case  a|iything'sl\ould  h^ipf 
^pta,  Berthft  reraaioed  five  jrears  at  fchooL    W^isaw  ver^ 


Evr 


4^ 


(jijaa&a 


'M^ 


•'>. 


"«-.^ 


'^i&'''ivit^k.'^^ .. 


€V 


«»#-if%%i 


J^ttle  of  her  .11  this  H^e,  for  she  mostly  spent  her  vacal 

j,^o„,^wuh  i.er  friends,  the  sehaal  girls  ;  U  when  ihe 

period  of  her  stay  had  elapsed,  she  came  back  to  the  old' 

homestead.  ,  We  jmdp^arted  from -her  a  beairhfulchil^ 

.    „^ut  she  returned  a  woman-pee. iess,  superb^a  perfec't 

vision  df  beaut,.     Everybody  mis  mv^ing  about  hen     AH 

r    Uie  younr  nv»n,  far  and  near,  were  in  love  with  lier  ;  but 

.    .Henha  never  seemed  tcPcare  fiof  apyof  them,  .^widusedto 

spen|  her  time  emb.oide4"g,  or  reading,  or  playing  oa 

^^.c5guuar,ahd  singing  Spanish  so«gs  about  '  beauliful 

Grenada.      I  yas  a  youqg.  ma'n   then,  about  seven-ana. 

twen^^earlof-^e5^q«^t;t^^  ^ 

•wuhn.>^,Kff<larI%e4ousiJ:.  It  w,s  a  ho^e^ 

as.heaven  is  &l^tb6  earth^tnd  I  Iddced  my  secret^  ■ 
my  owp  bo5<jtri<|L^resolved  I  «.ou4d  Wer  give- herl '^ 
,   moment's  pain  bpSSing  her  of  it.  .       g  ve  ner  ^r 

-I  was  hoye^er.  her.  favorite  ;  there,  were  two  more' 
bro|he..,  but  she  Uked  fiiebest-but  only  with  a  sisteSi- 
-      hilk    f  ^  T  ^^""^l^^^'^^  to  speak  of  tl)e  vine^clX 

Jnlt         rl""  '  °^  ^"'  ^^^""''^"^  ^'^••'^^  mother/and  of  her  ^    " 
'  ^^'^^•"Ssfoi-  sunny  Grenada  once  more.     And  I  used  ttf. 
sta.d  Iftten   and  sympaihi.e  with  her.and  keep'dbwii: 
the  yrarmng  desire  chatArs^  to  fill.my  I  eart  to  kneel  at 
'  ^  cet  an4.sk  1^  co  ,l^e  Sle  th/rig,..to.  tal^'hX, 

f  ^**"»»  ■  /  if  '         '  V  .  ■'    '  ■   flit. 

rongh.  uncouth  man  as   I  am  could  ever  feel  love-  ]ik| 


•> 


'*^':i^hi' 


.,  .        ,        ,  "    '   "'"   v^^^uiu  ever  icci   love-  1  kf! 

l|  ,  ^o„g  ,  sl,e  nor  no  .mc  eUc.  ever.drcamed  1  cl^rish^o;  . 
».    *«r  otter  than  a  consinly  affection.     When  I  Used  ^W' 

.fd  l«.«p,  and  look  pleased  when  they  talked,  i«ybIi.A.*  • 


■X' 


■\mi 


..'*• 


«n 


THE   MANIACS   STORY. 


m 


when  she.  would  meet  their  eyes,  I  used  to  feel  the  demon 
of  jealousy  rising  within  me  ;  and  then  I  would  be  forced 
to  tear  myself  awiay  from  them  all,  lest  my  lopks  or 
actions  might  betray  me.  It  was  very  hard  then  to  bear 
my  lot  patiently  ;  but,  when,  after  a  while,  Bertha  would 
come  back  to  me,  and  tell  me  how  tiresome  they  all  were, 
and.  that  I  was  the' dearest,  best*cousin  in  the  world,  and 
Worth  all  the  other  young  rhen  she  knew  put  together,  I 
used  to  feel  recompensed  for  it  all,  and  L  could  have  knelt  . 
down  at  her  very  feet  in  gratitude  for  the  words. 

"  These  were  the  happiest  days  of  my  life,  little  friend  ;*" 
and  though  I  knew  Bertha  could  never  love  me,  yet  T  felt 
if.  I  might  only  be  near  her,  and  know  she  wasihappy,  and 
see  h^r  smile  on  me  somerfmes,  I  coul^  even   bear  to  see 
hermamed  to  some  man  more  worthy  of  herthan  I  was. 

>J  do  hot  say  there  Were  not  times  when  1  was  tempted  to 
murmur  and  wish  HeavCn  had  gifted  nle  with  a  less 
ungainly  form,  for  Bertha's  sake;  yet,  I  think,  I  may  say, 
I  strove  to  subdue  all   such  ungrateful  murmurs,   and 

"^/tj^k  of  my  many  blessings  ;  aind,  on  the  whole,  I  was 

l»ppy- 

*'My  father,  who  was  growing  old  and  infirm,  loved 
Bertha,  with  a* passionate  fondness,  and  often  spoke  of 
his  cherished  wish  of  seeing  her  united  to  one  of  his  sons. 
I  was  the  oldest,  and  his  favorite,  and  I  knew  Ills'  ardent 
desire  was  to  see  Us  married  ;  but  as  this  could  never  be, 
I  always  strove  to  evade  giving  a  direct  answer  to  his 
qijestions  coocerning  my  feelings  toward  my  cousin.  To 
her  he  had  never  spoken  on  the  subjeAt ;  but  on  his  death- 
bed he  called  us  to  him,  and  putting'  her  hand  in  mine, 
charged  us  to  love  one  another,  and  become  husband  and 
j  wife.  Ah  !, there  was  little  need  to  tell  meMo  love  one 
''.  lUmost  worshiped  all-eady.    Bertha's,  hand  lay  passively 


-^ 


lir^L^^Afe'Jal 


f*t/^^^f»-^  -«^^4*\J 


*-A-t«fr;r    %  ^ 


,  ^  i^  w  1^  ^   r 


THE   MAmACS   STOUT.  ^ 

in  mine.    She  was  weeping  convulsivelv  o«^     '•  u 
us  would  .ender  his  las'.Len^s  u„rp^;^;^",X^"  »' 
dearest  wish  could  not  be  fulfilled      T  ,t,      7/*J"''S  "«' 
she  had  n>erely  a-quiesced  to  i!  ,k    .      ?^'"  "'*"  ""« 
and  resolved,  mu^^    s  ,  Lvrdter  t  't't^'d^,  '"7°""= 

Te'reTd^fr '" '" '-"-  cot^^^^^^^^ 

next  tnree  day,  there  was  no  time  for  *>vr^ior,o.-  T 

Te:  IrXre"^  --  ^--  '  ~-  e^„?eX- - 

as:.^i7*;^:r:re%tTs\urrit-- 

,-er  :  .H  .i,^.,„.,  ,_.  ,-t;  -  -  .o.„^u^, 

"•  Bertha,  I  knew  thee  did   not  like  f„  r.f 
father's  dying  request  to  marry  me     b,^t M  the      '  ^'^  i 
was  given  against  thy  will,  I  have  taken  the  fi^f  '^""""''^, 
ni.yof  telling  tl.ce  I  do  ^ot.consder  it  bi,fd     "'"'T''"    J 
a.  as  .  am  concerned,  ,.„u  may^on^de^thy^^^'^Ji  .",::>* 
from  all  engagement  tp  me.'  ^  ./ 

"  I  did  not  dare  to  gaze  at  her,  as  she  sat  the.^  look 
aUer'rdT/"'^''^"''"''  '''''   ^y  -olntion   'shruM'. 

ben';^:^::;;;:::;,;"^^"^^^--^  ^-^-^  ^--.^-  ^ 

"  '  Wish  it  !•  I  ^Med  out,  forgetting  prudence  re^olu 
tion,  everything  but  her.     '  Oh  Berth n    I  T  u 

than  all  the  world  !'  '  '  ^  ^°^^  >^°"  ''^"^^ 

Then  take  me  for  your  wife  '  sh<>  ci^i  ;:      •  ■ 

and  pushing  back  the  hal  fromtyt  J    She  S": 
and  was  gone.  ^^-   ^ne  Kiss^j^e  ^ 

"  For  a  while  I  could  not  tell  whAher  1  Was  sltfenfi.* 
or  wakjng,  he,  words  seemed  so  unreal.    ,  Jo^  ilS^ 


pv 


•r*''- 


rr-^ 


t-«i^*5<.V-,i^.-'-4%  ->  .*- 


*vj*'~  '"'     •<"  r~ 


IS^ 


-<'i' 


■     ■-'      TBS  MJ^lACa  STOBT. 

.  '\-^  '  V       ■ 

in^|b  traiice ;  like  one  in  some  blissful  dream,  from  which 
Ife  fears  to  awaken-  I  could  not  realize  that  this  peer- 
lessly beautiful  girl  could  be  willing  to  many  me— a 
rough,  homely,  plodding  farmer.  I  resolutely  shut  my 
heart  against  the  bewildering  conviction  ;  but  that  even- 
ing, when  we  sat  alone  together,  and  I  asked  her  to  repeat 
what  she  had  said,  sl>e  smiled  at  my  incredulity,  and  told 
me  she  intended  to  be  my  wiife  just  as  soon  as  our  term 
of  mourning  expired,  and  that  I  might  make  known  our 
engagenxentas  soon  as  I  liked. 

***It  will  save  me  from  being  persecuted  by  the  atten- 
tion* of  oth<|r  young  m^g/you  kn(ftv,  Cousin  Reuben,' 

she  said. 

"  Everybody  waS'  surprised  when  they  lieard  of  it,  for 
dbc  had  rejected  richer  and  far  handsomer  men  ;  and  for 
a  while  people  refused  to  believe  it.  But  when  tliey  saw/ 
us  always  together,  and  Berths 'iCiuictly  confirmed  the 
report,  they  were  forced  to  the  conviction  that  it  really 
was  true,  and  I  was  looked  upon  asJfhe  rpost  fortunate 
«nd  enviAble  of  men.  V  ..    \ 

"The  next  six  months  I  was  the  happiest  m^n  in  the 
W4^1d  ;  and  in  nine  more  we  vwQre  to  be  married,  and  go 
on  a  tour  to  Spain.  It  seemed  too  much  happiness  for 
inc.  I  could  not  i^alizethat  it  would  ever  prove  true; 
and,  ala^  !  it  never  did. 

"  One  day  there  came  a  letter  from  a  school  friend  of 
Bertha's  who  lived  in  WestpcirX  inviting  her  there  qn  a 
visit.  Bertha  wished  tcj  go,  and  no  one  opposed  hier ;  but 
ixscw  her  set  out,  with  a  sad  forlhiding  that  tWs  visij^ 
:  wqo|[d  prove  fatal  to  my  new-foipid  happiness.  / 
■\  *frhree  i[tU)nths  passed  away  bet«re vBcrtHa  ciaiUc  back. 
|&H»^ii»k^lo  Writl  to  u$  at  ffrsjlong,  gay,  m^isjr^tcrs, . 
talliwiW  <dl  about  the  place,  ftiid  the  p«opl*  i|#  Bt^  i 


.(,• 


■7.«7«' 


mE  MANIAVB  BTOBJ. 


978 


but  gradually  her  letters  g reiv  shor^  »n^ 

and  less  frequent,  and   L  I  tll^' Lt ^^  "^"  ^'' 

ceased  altogether.  ^"^^  '*^''  retura, 

I  was  half-cfazed  with  anxi#>fv  a^  k* 
sion.  ;  and  was  about  uf  se  TuT 'to  t.V "'.''•'''^^'''"^ 
-ytWnghad  l,„ppe„ed,  when  ."e  day  The  t.al'","'  "T 
at  .he  door;  and  Bertha  alighted     Vef  li   T     "P*^ 
changed  I  hardly  fe„ew  her     nale   r„M  ''"''"'-''"'  » 
.  she   sang   and  laughed  no  ,'oSlr  •  b  .f '  ""^  '««"«'r 
hours,  her   head   au    her   h,„H  ?!    ',  ^       "^'^  '"  "'  f°' 
Benha  „,as  bodlly^-'itr  .t'^"bu  t' spLt^le"''"'T 
•      avvay^w^^^,   I  (ia„d   not  asl-      <;      ?'",,  "'''   ^^ 

.         «o>v,  but  sat  bv  herself  in  her  twn    "„  '  """■  ^P""' 

.^tin.cs     Fro™-n,e  ,he  shir^   It  "? '  3^.^  "f «4- 
«.;ngled  with   shame,  coloring;  and  ave  dnVlL  r^' 
when  she  n,et  my  eye  ;  and.  mueh  tis  I  iovedU  I  ^     J  -  ^ 
ever  after  that  to  shun  meeting  her   lest  ^,  i     m  ^ 
aerpaiin.  ,  *    "'  '**'  "  Should  give  • 

;  -"  But  oh,  Christie,  what  ft  cost  me  fli  do  this  ma,  ,h^> 
never  know  !     I  saw  she  reoenterl  hj7        "'•\"l<'y  thw  , 
a  moment  of  impulsive  g'neros  fy    and'r""^?''  ^'    ''' 

■hat  pj^mi^ .  „o„d  „e  4  ca;;^-=;s:  i:s«^ «»»  ;.| 

fast  ,°ble  TT^  '^  "■"'^  ""  'PP'^^-nce  a.  tr.'^Veafi.   * 
fast-lable     looking    pale,   wHd„  and    terrified-    'vv?,^;     . 

l..jugh.  she  was  ill,  but  she  said  she  JIsS\  1  .^^  Ti. 
had  bad  dreads,  she  said,  fordng  a  smile  M.  l'    ^  ^"      * 

%ing.L,ha„'<ri„i;^rot;irr,tid"""^ """'  '^•*^' 

if.  wiw '^T"  ''^"''°°'  '  '"'*=  ««">«d  cold  and  diston,-t„' 


fcJ^'Vit'  .,: 


'nJ^^-v.-',»''-^ 


iffl.y  i    ■>-' " 


m^ 


^m 


M 


'%^ 


'"•■  iS^y^ 


aaii.si&«(.»ii^ 


.,  ■>  .'V"  f-^    '- 


;^^ 


S- 


TdB   MAlUlAaB   STOUT. 


Ipke  hurriedly,  and  with,  ascertain  wildtiess  in 

"^  >ut  I  did  nc^notice  it  theri.     I  thought  sjie 

be  my  own  Bertha  ag^in,  and  how  readiiy 

enes§  was  given,   I  need  not  tell  tliee.     She 

^_         wn  and  kissed  my  hand  while  I  spoke,  and 

tfaep,  witttbut  a  word,  started^oflE  down  tlie  street  at  d^ 
V»  rapid  w*ik;.from  which  she  never  came  back." 

Uncle  Reuben  paused,  add  his  hands  tfemblq^i  so  that 
*    -lor  a  moment  he  could  not  go  on  with  bis  work.     Then, 
recovering  himself,  he  continued  : 

"All  that  day  passed,  and  she  did  not  return;  and 
wben^mght  came  we  began  to  wonder  at  her  delay  Still, 
we  were  not-uneasy,  for  we  thought  she  had  stopped  all 
night  at  the  house  of  some  friend  ;  but  the  next  day 
passedj  and  the  next,  and  nothing  more  was  heard  of 
her.  Then  we  grew  alarmed  ;  and  I  was  about  to  rouse 
the  neighborhood  and  go  in  search  of  her,  when  a  letter 
was  brought  to  me  in  her  well-known  writing. 

*A  terrible  thought  flashed  across  my  mind  at  the  sight. 
I  sank  into  a  chair,  tore  it  open,  and  read  : 

•*  *  Cousin  Reuben  : — I  have  gone-*fled  from  you  all 
forever.  Do  not  search  for  tne,  for  it  will  be  useless.  1 
cannot  ask  you  to  forgive  g»e,  I  have  wronged  you  too 
deeply  for  tha^ ;   but  do  not  curse  the  memory  of  the 

unworthy  ,,  .         ,« 

'BlM^THA. 

"Every  word  of  that  note  is  ineffaceably  burned  in 

jny  htort  and  brain.    la  that  moment  my  whole  life  and 

destiny  were  chariged.    I  did  not  show  the  note  to  a  liv- 

.  lag  «oul.     I  rose  up  and  told  them  to  Ismh  tHeir  clannors, 

l|^  never,  to  m<u^on  her  nfine  more.     I  think  my  looki 


f4 


HfW^'t*' 


THE   MANIACS   STORT^ 


2^7 


must  have' frightened  them,  for  they  drew  back  in  silence  ; 
and  \  put  on  my  hat,  hnd  without  speaking  a  word,' 
walked  out-of  the  house. 
v>  "Tlie  moment  I  had*  read  thp  words;  my  resolution 
was  taken.  I  determined  to  go  forth  and  seek  for  her.  till 
she  \vas  found,  and  tell  her,  with  my  own  lips,  that  I  for- 
gave her  all.  In  a  week  I  had  arranged  my  affairs.  I 
left  to  my  second  brother  the  farm,  and  without  telling 
him  where  I  was  going,  or  what  was  my  object,  I  left 
home,  and  never  saw  it  more. 

"I  went  toWestport.     I   felt  sure  I  would  find  hof 
there,  and  I  was  right*     Just  one  wfe<*k  after  my  arrival, 
as  I  was  out  taking  a  stroll  through  tlie  trJwn  one  i»ight' 
about  dusk,  a  woman,  dressed  in  dcQp  Mack  and  ctosely 
vailed,   brushed   hastily   by   me.     I   started  as   if   I  Imd, 
received  a  galvanic  shock  ;  for,  though  the  vail  hid  her 
face,  there  was  no  ttistaking  that  tall,  regal  form  and 
quick,  proud  step.     I  knew  I  had  found  Bertha.     I  turned 
and  followed  her.     I  overtook  her,  and  laying  my  hand* 
on  her  arm,  said  :       .  i  . 

"  *  Cousin  Bertha  !'  ' 

"At  the  sudden  sound  of  my  voice,  she  started  and 
shrieked  aloud,  and  would  have  fallen  if  I  had  not  sup- 
ported her.     Fortunately,  the  street  was  almost  deserted, 
and  no  one  noticed  us  ;  and  I  drew  her  arm  within  mine 
and  said  .•  ' 

Fear  not.  Bertha ;  I  "have  only  sought  you  out  lo 
tell  you  I  forgive  you  for  the  past.' 

•"And  you  can  forgive  me  after  all  I  h^ive  done- 
after  so  cruSlly,  so  deeply  wronging  you  !  Oh,  Co{isin 
Reuben  !'  she  cried  out  passionately. 

"' Hush  !  thee  will  be  heard,'  I  said,  softly.    ' I  am  tby  '' 
brothernow,  Bertha.     Where  does  theeftVc?    I  will ^ 


^.^"vJ.JE-^I^KSkr-.X'.j  ■<t3< 


^•■j^  yu 


^v 


4. 


g^^' 


tra 


nm  MAjnAca  story. 


r  ■*        js^i^h  thee,  and,  if  thou  art  willing  to  tell  mc,  I  will  hear 
\        •*    your  story.'  ' 

She   tried  to  speak,  but  something  seemed  to  choke 

her,  and  we  hurried  on  in   silence"  untfii  we  reached  the 

(hotel  where  she   stopped.     When  we   were  in   heivjiioom 

^lie  sank  down  at  my  feet,  and,  holding  up  her  hands, 

ctied  out :     /  " 

"  '  Once  again — once  a%ain,  say  you  forgive  me  !  Oh, 
Cousin  Reuben,  I  cannot  believe  what  I  have  iieard  I' 

"  3he  looked  so  pale  ^and  haggard,  that  I  felt  I  had 
more  to  pity  than  forgive.     I  raided  her  up  and  said  :  " 

"*  I  have  notiiing  to  forgive.  Bertha.  Look  on  me  as 
a  brotlier,  and  while  I  live  I  will  ever  regard  tliee  as  a 
dear  sister.'  -^^ 

"  What  she  said  then,  and  how  vvildly  otic  talked  and 
wept,  I   need  not  tell  thee   now.     I  waited  till  she  was 
calm,  but  it  was  long  before  she  was  composed  enough  to 
tell  me  her  story,  and  then  I  learned  she  was  already  a 
wife,  though  no  one  knew  it  but  myself,  her  husband,  and 
the  clergyman  who  had  united  them. 
^'     "  Thee  has  heard  of  Mark  Campbell,  the  late  owner  of 
the  lodge — a  man  (eare^  by  all,  and  ioved  by  feV  ?    It 
was  to  him   she  wVs  married.     His  first  wife  had  ieen 
^^i,_,*J^ad  some  year^.  and  he  resided  with  his  young/^n  and 
daughter  on*  thej  islahd.     He  had  met  Bertha  during  her 
stay  in  Westpo^t,  and  had  fallen  .violently  iij/love  with 
her.     He  was  i  tall,  stalwart,  handsome  man,  as  all  his 
race  ever  were,  land  she  returned  his  passion  with  all  the 
fierce  io^petuosity  for  which  those  of  her  nation  have  ever 
been  distinguished.     But  he  was  proud,  %)ery  prou^,  and 
arrogant,  like  ^11  the  Campbells,  and  would  not  stoop  to  . 
marry  a  girl  ^  far  beneath  htm  publicly.    Thee4tnows  I 
(q14  thee   fihfi   was   only  a   sailor's  daughter,  and  a|B 


M  t^t-i 


4y< 


54 


L.    ..-,'f       ,- 


-/ 


'.^'''zf"'' 


S,\,:^.;r,C,,,  ;  r-  ;r.s    -       ^ 


raw   MANIACS   STOBT.  K9 

uaknown  foreigner  besides.     He  gave  her  some  plausible 

She  loved  h.m,  and   was  easily  persuaded,  a^d,  though 
unknown  to  the  world,  was  Mark  Campbell's  wife 

"I  promised  not  to  reveal  her  secret ;  but  ,1  felt  that  a 
marnage  wuh  such  a  passionate,  vindictive 'nian,  could 
be  productive  only  of  misery  and  sorrow  to  her.     She  had  . 
no  fnend  .n  the  world  but  me.  and  I  resolved  to  rem.Yin 
^    in  Wcstport  and  watch  over  her  sjifety 

"ht  y^    ^'"■''  ^"^^^"^^'i'"^^^  on  the  island.     Camp- 

bHl  s  Lodge,  thee  knows,  is  a  large  house,  full  of*  rooms' 
and  passages.   a«d   she  Wld    easily   remain    there   for         -.  -. 

ben  ha'd  :  'T'  -''^-^^^^V  discovered.     Mark  Cam"      " 
be  I  had  a  schooner,  and  kept  five  or  six  rough- lookina> 
saUor  felh^ws,  half  smugglers  and  whole  vilfainrc^n^ 
stant  3.  a^ut  him.      I   managed  to  c&tain  empToym^^t 
ab^  the  ^ace,  and  was  enabled  to  remain  on  the  island 
and,  unsuspected,  watch  over  Bertha. 

-f  Bertha,  when  on  the  island,  always  lived  in  some  of' 

ZT'^^rr  f  i'^  ^'"'^^"  ^"^  servant?™  vcr  • 
c^me.     Ohe  day,  when  she  was  in  Westport,  I  chanced  to 

nJ.  TT  r''°^  '°  '*^"^"  apartments,  and  entering  a 

mle  dark  closet  off  one  of  the  large  rooms,  Ik  neli  dol^ 

nriTt  for  so„,ethit,g  od  the  floor;  ^hea   my  hand 

pressed  heavily  on  something  which  I  knew  novv>(>  be  a  '^ 

pnng;  a^ap-doo/fell,  »nd  I  came  very  near  bein^ 

empty  ap^mj^nt,  filled  with  ol^  lumber.    •  — S'' 

.JJ^^Z  '  ^'^'^  '•^^^^ered  from  my  astonishment  at  IhS. 
uoe|pectod  occ<HTence4examined  the  tr^i^  Wd^ 
U  c^uld  be  opened  fro^eiow.  and  thH  owinAto  ^'^ 


'v.: 


'M 


i;- 


^^$^fi^l0m'^^^'$^'t!^M^ 


k 


wo  THE   MANlAtra   STOliT, 

covered.  I  was  at  ncj^ss  to  account  iovJtis  object,  as  it 
had  evidently  been  constructed  by  sonjjr'former  occupant 
for  no  gpod  purpose.  I  felt  convinced*  however,  tiliat 
the  present  proprietor  knew  jKithing  of  it,  or  ^ofiig  ere 
this  it  would  have  been  nn^de  use  of  ;  and  I  r6solved  to 
say  nothing  about  it,  no^icnowing  for  what  evil  end  he 
might  use  it.  ^x  / 

"  I  was  righ^i'  when    I   felt   that  this  hasty  marriage 


between  Bertha  and  M 
of  nothing  but  misery 
but  that  did  not'pr 
A  stranger,  a  mere 
had  met  Bertha  somev 


t 


yampbell  could  be  productive 
;ady  he^as  wearying  of  her, 
I  from  being  madly  Jealous, 
id  the  handsomest  I  ever  saw,, 
re,  and  was  deeply  struck  by 
her  bea^ity.  He  was  a  gay,  thoughtless  laflvand  Mark 
Campbell,  overhearing  some  speeches  he  had  made  about 
her,  had  ail  the  fierce  jealousy  of  his  nature  arousbd.  Me 
set  spies  to  watch  Bertha  ;  her  every  wbrd  and  look^^s 
distorted,  after  the  fashion  of  jealous  people,  into  a  con' 
firmation  of  her  guilt,  and  poor  Bertha  led  a  wretched 
life  of  it.  Her  only  comfort  now  was  Wgr  little  daughter, 
of  whom  I  had  forgotten  to  tell  tliee  before. 

"One  night  one  of  his  spies  came  to  the  island  atfd 
sought  an  interview  with  Mark  Campbell.  What  its  pur- 
port was  I  know  not  ;  but  \vjhen  it  was  ended  his  face 
was  livid — absolutely  diabolical  -with  passion.  Two  of 
his  villainous  crew  vverdi  dispatched  in  a  boat  to  Westport;, 
and  when  they  returned  they  brougiit  with  them  this 
youth,  gagged  and  bound  hand  and  foot.  Bertha  was  at 
the  time  dwelling  in  the  lodge,  for  Campbell  was  too 
madly  jealous  to  suffer  her  to  go  oiiit  of  his  sight. 

'*  I  had  a  presentiment  that  sonfijething  terrible  would 
occur  ^that  night,  but  I  never>drean|ed  of  the  awful  mur- 
der that  was  perpetrated  in  one  of  | the  upper  rooids.    It 


vif-- " 


^^^ 


X  r 


WtMt^-iii 


■*<.• 


.f\  ^--'.-Tf  ^Z*^^M 


TBB  MAmAOB   STOnr.  ,|g, 

m»  .stormy,  tempestuous  night,  but  the  men  were  sen, 
offagatnto  a  liule  sea-coast  village  some  miles  below 
N—,  and  when  they  came, back  they  had  with  them 
another  man,  gagged  and  bound  like  the  first 

"  I  could  not  rest  that  night,  but'^t  anxiously  in  my 
room,  ,n  the  basement  st.uy,  longing  with  a  strange  dr»d 
for  the  morn.ng.    ,  ,,„  ,„,„^  ^^„  meditated 

whth'l  i'"™°'  '  T'"''  ''"'"*  ""'  wild,  terrific  shr  ek 
wh,ch  I  knew  must  beBer.ha's.     Half  mad  with  terror  I 
fled  from  the  room  anifstole  into  the  lower  hall  ,o  listen 
bat  all  was-perfecyi;.  still.     For  up,M^d  of  halt  an  hour  I 
e™,ned  thus ;    Lt  nothing  br„k/,he  fi^e^  stillness 
unt,l  heavy  fo„tst/ps  began  to  descend  th/s.S^and  I 
«!Li!UUj™^of  Campbell's  gang  coi^ng^So^rand 
«admg  between  them  the  man  they  had  Zst  brought  "o  . 
he  .sle.    They  placed  .him  inaboat  and  rowed  La/ 

^^n     -"7"^  T  ""=  '"""''  ='"'  "g"—  "f  wharid 
ansp,red.    As  I  approached  it  I  saw  two  others  of  the 

crew  talk,ng  ,n  low  hushed  voices  as  they  descended  td 
a,e  shore.  I  stole  behind  them  to  listen,  and  judge  of  mv 
horror  when  I  learned  thnt,  in  his  frant,;  jealousf  Camp"^ 
bell  had  n,urdered  this  stranger  youth,  and  in  his  nfeSal 
tarbanty  had  cast  his  loVing  wife  and  the  murdered  boTy 

herto  'H'"T'"r"'"'°''  ™°"  together-consigning 
her  to  a  death  too  fearful  to  contemplate.     The  man  whf 
,  had  ,ust  been.taken  away  was^  a  mason,  who  had  teen 
<  procured  to  waU  up  the  only  door  to  the  room. 

I  listened,  my  viry  life-blood  freezing'  with  horror  . 

he  room,  I  kn^w  it  to  be<the  one  with  the  hidden  door 

ttonrt    '"f^^'-^'hi-g  W"^  forgotten  but  the  one 
ftought  of  freeing  h„„t„  „^^  ^^^^^  ^^.^  e 

■Je.    I  was  more  like  a  fntntfc  man  than  oneameTl 


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Sp8  2H»  MAmACB   8T0RT. 

procured  a  ladder,  made  my,  way  noiselessly  inta  the 
deserted  lumber  room,  ascended  it»  and  carefully  let  fall 
the  trap.  The  lifeless  form  of  the  murdered  man  lay 
across  the  openinj^,  but  I  pushed  it  aside  and  sprang  into 
the  room,  thinking  only  of  Bertha.  In  the  farthest  corner, 
crouching  down  to  the  floor,  she  sat,  a  glibbering  idiot. 
The  terrible  shock  had  driven  her  insane. 

"  What  I  felt  at  that  dreadful  siglit  no  words  can  ever 
tell.  I  r&iscd  her  in  m^  arms  and  bore  her,  unresisting, 
down  into  the  lumber-room.  I  closed  the  trap,  qi>ncejiled 
the  ladder,  and  carrying  her  as  if  she  were  an  infant, 
I  fled  from  t!ie  accursed  spot.  She  neither  spoke  nor 
uttered  a  single  cry,  but  lay  passively  in^my  arms.  There 
were  boats  on  the  shore  ;  I  placed  her  in  one,  and  with  a 
strength  that  seemed  almost  superhuman  rowed  over  the 
heaving  waves  till  morning.  Whither  I  was  going  I 
knew  not,  neither  did  I  care  ;  my  only  object  was  to  bear 
her  beyond  the  reach  of  her  deadly  enemy. 

"When  mjjrfling  came,  I  found  myself  on  the  shore, 
below  this  place.  J  had  often  been  here,  and  admired 
this  quiet  and  hidden  spot,  buried  in  the  depths  of  the 
wood.  Here  I  bore  Bertha,  who  followed  me  like  a 
child :  and,  before  noon  I  had  constructed  a  sort  of  rude 
hut,  to  screen  her  from  the  heat  of  the  sun  and  th<f  night 

dew.    Then  I  went  to  N for  such  necessaries  as  I 

immediately  required,  and  resolved,  that  here  I  would 
spend  my  life  in  watching  over  my  poor,  insane  cousin. 

"  It  would  be  dull,  tedious,  and  uninteresting  to  relate 
bow  I  labored  for  the  next  few  weeks,  to  construct  this 
but,  and  forra^as  best  I  could,  the  rude  furniture  you  see 
bere.  It  wrs  a  }ab^^  love,  and  I  heeded  not  fatigue 
nor  want  ol  r^^^^^0it  was  completed.  No  chtld  in  the 
pxv!»f4it»  ounp  «ould  bo  more  quiet  mad  docile  rboa 


-*-^- 


w^'T^-'^-y  '',', 


XBB  MANUira   BTOST. 


Bertha,  but  I  saw  that  reason  \u^WA  fnr^^     i  /      . 
•he  would  always  nrmain  thus  Tu!^I''T    'i"^<^ 
dreamed  she  could  be  a.VnT!i  k      *°^8^*^°*^«.  an^ncver 

murder.    All  .he  evcn.s^t  tL.  terrible  nith^  J"* 

come  back  to  bcr  -ind  =h.  n^    '""""=  ""ght  seemed  to 

air  resound  iviUi  her  shrill   ci    -^^^  ™*'''°«   *« 

ately.in  the  dTrk   she  t         ^''"""^^  ^^  "^^'^er.     Fortun- 
^.        lue  aark,  she  was  not  perceived  anri  i  -,„  j 

to  seiae  her  and  bear  her  off  .     ^iT    u  managed 

beheld  her.  ^  '**  '***  ^'^^^  ^'^"'•e  any  one 

"  A  fortnight  after,  when  I  visited  M  t  , 

"oo  so,  Benha  and  I  h«».  n»^  i.       • 
years,  unraoJeaed  and  our  ~      ^      "  '<"■  '°""«" 
long  since  („r7ott„sh"i.r  "'^''°«  «  "oobde- 
l»mle«:  bu^^MiM^  ■'■"'""'  "«  her,  gentle  and 
Tiolence,  but  in  a  l"  "    ^  ^^  Periodical  attack,  of     - 

.0  re^e^ber 'Srr^"  ^^  '^^-^^  » -""7  .^in„ 
vtwts   have  given    the  u^l      ^         ^  ***  nocturnal 

the  isle  has  confirmTd^Th.  h  %""^  "P*^      ^ 

urmea.    As  the  house  was^for  sevemi  \" 


.'t?i 


f- 


r  ■ 


TBS  MAmAcra  stobt. 


¥: 


^*/3.  ,'r 


jrears  deserted,  except  by  some  old  servants,  after  the 
death  of  Mark  Campt)ell,  she  could  roam  with  impunity 
through  the  rooms — sometimes  even  pushing  back  bolts 
and  entering  apartments  that  were  locked.     Such,  Chris*' 
tie,  is  the  story  of  the  maniac  Bertha." 

All  this  time  Christie  had  been  listening,  with  a  look 
of  the  deepest,  most  absorbed  attention,  in  silent  amaze- 
ment at  ail  she  heard.  The  mysterv  of  the  haunted  house 
and  the  spirit  of  the  isle,  Was  cleared  up  at  last. 

*'  And  the  child — did  you  never  hear  anything  more  of 
it?"  inquired  Christie. 

"  Nothing  concerning  it  have  I  ever  heard."  ._^ 

*'  Then  it  may  be  stiW  alive."  > 

"  It  is  veiy  probable  ;  villain  as  he  was,  he  vn 
slay  hjs  own  child.     But  enough  of  this  ;  it  is; 
late,  and   thee  looks  tired,   Christie.      GoodiniglT 
daughter."  ;'• 

Christie  sought  hei*  couch,  to  wonder,  and  dream  over  || 
what  she  had  heard,  and  forget  for  a  time  her  own  griefs 
in  thinking  of  the  greater  ones  of  poor  Bertha.  How 
'^im^r,  too,  seemed  their  fate  !  The  isufferings  of  both 
bad  originated  in  those  fatal  secret  marriages.  Bertha's 
were  oi^,  but  Christie's  were  not  ;  and  wondering  how 
hers  were  to  end,  Christie  fell  asleep. 

And  thus  days,  and  weeks,  anid  months  glided  by  in 
the  little,  lonely,  forest  cottage.  The  long,  dreary  winter 
passed,- and  spring  was  again  robing  the  trees  in  grera^ 
while  the  inmates  of  the  cottage  ktiew  nothing  of  the 
Invents  passing  in  the  great  world,  more  than  if  they  no 
longer  dwelt  in  it— breamed  not  of  the  startling  denoue* 
ment  tQ.the  tragedy  of  the  isle  that  was  even  then  hastetu 
faig  to  a  close ;  until  their  peace  yras  broken  by  an  unex* 


ot 
ing 
my 


;ji>>-<' 


^<>7^:.:£ 


l^niiiW.W/'^K-^x^'   ;i^.Ji::A--a£:^\sK^.mAA 


IRBMOB$B. 


.3*- 


^a^occur«nce  tha^  roused  Ch^istir  i.to  electee  life 

-  .  Bijt  ior  the  presctit  we  must  l<^ave  her,  aad  riurn  to 
the  other  scenes  and  characters  of  Jur  story.         f         '° 


CHAPTER  Xjjvi. 

REMORSE. 

"Oh   tell  me.  father,  can  the  diad 
Walk  on  the  earth  and  look/on  us. 
And  lay  upon  the  living's  hiad 
1  heir  blessing  or  their  ciirsfe  ? 
^u   >"""  *°  '"'^  <=»c'»  nighi— 

(hf  J!"''^  'u''''"  ^°  "°» <? «  her  tread  : 
She  stands  by  me.  in  the  Se.p  midnifrht 
In  the  white  robes  of  the  defd/™  WHixTuti 


{i!> 


AND  now  vre  must  return  to  Ihe  diy  iowLL  th^f 
^n  c.^.orm  and  crime  on  th/sho^olg^^ 

When  Edgar  awoke  to  consciousness  one*  more  h. 
found  h,n.se«  l,ing  on  a  lounge,  with  son>e  oLe  chSng 

w^  had  happened,  he  started,  up  ^„d  4d  7^ 

The  first  object  on  which  his  eyes  rested  wal  the  n»i. 
..X.OUS  face  of  his  wife,  as  she  ben,  over  hiaTT 

i  hat  sight  brought  bacit  ali.  With  a  hoUowJ unearthl, 
groan,  he  fell  back,  exckiming  •  ""OWJ unearthly 

But,  .t  tbo  sound  of  hi.  voice.  Uuia  utt„|d  »  j(^  H 


'1- 


^ 


T.«¥ 


■.-•X 


^"•^^^SWS 


©"1 


.? 


'  **"■^ 


./... 


cly,  And  fatliii^  on  her  knees  beside  him,  clasped  her, 
arms  round  W4  neck,  crying  out :  '      \  ' 

"  Oh,  Edgjar  !  dearest  Edgar  I  thank  Heaven  you  are 
still  alive  !  Oh,  Edgar,  I  was  made  reckless.  Only  for- 
give me  for  the  miserable  past,  and,  as  Heaven  hears  me, 
I  will  ncver^  never  make  you  so  wretched  more  !**. 

Her  tone,  her  look,  her  clasp,  convinced  him  sh^  was 
really  alivig.  With  his  brain  burning  and  throbbing  ag 
though  he  were  going  mad,  he  started  up  and  grasped 
her  by  the  arm,  whire  he  fairly^  shrieked  : 

'  "  Woman,  do  I  speak  to  the  living-  or  the  de^d  ?  Did 
I  not  murder  you  ?" 

.'"  Dearest  Edgar,  no  !  The  fall  scarcely  hurt  me  at 
all.  It  was  all  my  own  fault.  Do  not  think  of  it  any 
more,  and  do  not  speak  or  look  so  crazed  and  excited. 
Do  you  not  see  I  am  alive  and  well  ?" 

Yes,  he  saw  it.  Sh<f  whom  he  supposed  was  buried 
forever  in  the  heaving  sea  was  bending  over  him,  holding 
his  frenzied  head  on  her  breast,  pushing  back  /tlic  wild 
blaci:  hair  soothingly  off  his  burning  brow. 

Was  he  sane  or  mad  ?  Were  all  the  events  of  the  pre- 
Tloti«  night  only  the  horrible  delusion  of  a  dream — tiie 
ittpd  deception  of*'a  nightmar^e?  Wa»  the  s|orm,  the 
xchirder,  all  a  mocking  iinreality  ?  ^ 

-r'He  looked  down  and  saw  on  his  cloak  a  dark,  clotted 
mark^  the  maddening  evidence  of  the  past,  and  knew  that 
it  was  not  a  dream.  His  wife  was  living  still.  JV/u>, 
tlicn,  had  fallen  by  his  hand  ?  In  tlie  storm  and  darkAcss, 
what  horrible  mistake  had  lie  made  ? 

•  He  ground  his  teeth  nttd,  clenched  his  hands  together 
t&  keep.<back  tite  terribJe  emotions  that  made  his  very 
brain  reel,  feeling  as  though  nothing,  in  that  "nomcnt, 
(Cf^^4ejf^SiJst  greater  tonwn^tiMHi'  h«  enduzed. 

-    •  •'■    ■■  ..     '    •'-  ■  •'-  >  . .         ^-.  ■fl. - ■■  -^  -    - :i^ 


t'.J'VtP^^ 


SBMOB^. 


m 


back  to  calmness,  Wtteriy  accusiiwr  hers  Jf  ir.IT  I 

never  meant  to  torture  you  thus     qL  HLZa,^'  ^ 
.never  meant  it !    I  will  do  ariv^hin.X        ?^  ^  "^'^^''- 

^"t  say  J ou  forgive  me  first,  Edgar!     Oh  '  if  vnn 
knew  what  a  miserable  nio-il*  t  u  *>*'  •     ^"  •  "  you 

••  I  was  here,  of  course.     For  Heaven's  .^-^l ,.  t?  1      * \,  ■ 
not  excite  yourself  ,«  "  «h„     •:.  *'' ^''S^''»  <*'o 

"WereOi^^:-^-^-^^^ 

tione  so  in  Icra  Ltm      n  "  '  '  """'^  °"*  '^"^^ 

Courtney."  -  ^^^'/^O'npose  yourself,  Mr, 

"You  are  «rr/r  you  were  here  all  night?"  ^ 

Most  certain  It  1  wn^      Vruj.      ti 

ing  me  such  a  qu«t  on  r '31^2-^     ^"  P'""' '"  •'»'^- 
A-rnin   h-  t    1  ^     , '°"  '^    She  sftid,  in  extreme  surorlset 

fiCr  ''"'"^  ^"^  *  shuddering  groan      "D^^ 

liagar,  you  arc  verv  ill      r  r«..i.        j. '^  b'wan.        iiear 

«W  Laura,  in  IZf  T™  Tl-  "","  '"  "  P^f'"*^".' 
«N^6<,1  •.  ^«„  pert,/  „;..  ^,  «be«e«l,  „. 


^ 


f' 


?^^^^^P?^^^^ 


>j- 


^^-' 


^y.s 


■■►)t' 

14-1 


■l^ 


claimed. 


RBM0B3B. 


I 


j*-^ 


Will  you  not  do 


*f  Le^vQ^me  I  »11  I  waat,  all  I  a^  for,  is  to  be 

,  "Blit  yo«N|iave  not  yet  forgiven  me. 
"'  8d  before  I  go  ?" 

«•  Yes — yes,  anything,  only  leave  me." 

S^i^hinir  deeply,  Mi's.  Courtney  arose,  and  pressing  a 
kiss  on  his  brow,  left  tiic  room. 

:  '  And  he  was  aloiic— alone  with  his  own  frenzied, 
tumultuous  thoughts-l-afone  with  his  own  conscience,  the 
most  terrific  compai/iqn  a  guilty  man  can  have.  Again 
came  the  torturing  t]^oi^ght,  What,  oh,  what  had  he  done? 
"  Wh^m,*in  his  mad  passion,  had  he  slain  ?  W.hile  reason 
and  judgment  slept,  and  jealousy  dnd  blind  frenzy  raged, 
what  wrong  had  he  committed  ? 

"  But  his  wife  lived.  With  a  sudden  revulsion  of  feel- 
ing, in.allthe  tempest  of  agony  and  remorse,  that  convic- 
tion was  the  one  gleam  of  blessed  sunlight  in  the  Stk 
night  of  despair.  Come  what  might,  she  who  had  given 
up  all  for  him,  had  not  fallen  by  his  hand  ;  her  death  was 
not  on  his  soul.  And  he  dr^w  a  deep  breath  of  relief; 
and,  if  he  had  dared  to  breathe  the  holy  name,  would 
baVe  thanked  Heaven  for  her  preservation. 

How,  strongly  amidst  the  wildest  chaos  of  doubt  and 
anguish  does  the  instinct  of  self-preservation  ever  remaio 
y  in  the  ascendant.  All  other  thoughts  quickly  passed 
'^  away,  and  the  one  absorbing  idea  of  securing  his  own 
safety  filled  his  whole  breast.  He  thought,  with  a  start  *| 
of  alarm,  what  conjectures  his  strange  questions  and 
wild  excitement  must  have  given  rise  to  in  the  mind  of 
bis. wife,  and  resolved  that,  for  the  future,  come  what 
might,  he  would  be  on  his  guard,  and  not  commit  himself 
by  betraying  his  emotions.  ^^  \ 

.,.>"!„  W8t   leave   this   place   immediately,"  wis^hll; 


f^ 


■>--Ar 


h  ^^ 


thoilijrht,  b^o^e  8»i|iicion  o^nii;'       .       '        •    ^ 
.  «'>dlu«  to,i„r&^^  '°  fi-  on  me,, 

must  find  some  ^l  to  this Torr  u.  '^'     ^"'  ^'^''  '  ''^ 

dreadful  rflght.    '(5h  that  L. J  K    /"^''^'^-     ^'»  •'  ^^ar^l 
i      my  memory  ••     /p     ""'  "  *^°"^^  ^  ^^^ver  blotted  frojj^^ 

ea.'^S;xij:f  :p::c^"^^  '-^^'^  ^'-  -  ^^-  ^ 

then  a  scream,  and  Zn^^T"^^  'T^^  'P"e,  ; 
to  and  fro.    /  ®  ^°"'*^  °^  ™any  feet  tmrrying. 

Ws  vi«i,„.    ,.  „;,,  ^?"'^  h""'    She,  ,he«,  h,,,  ^^ 
'ow  and  horror  his  «,{/«  ^-i  /  "*tnseir.    But  m  hersor- 

m^m«u.  %^^:  r«^l  '""/P'l-civ.  hi.  i„,^4 


,*>; 
^•'5 


JSjds 


/    ■f|.'4.^*-'t*.V^ 


I     ^ 


BUMOBBB. 


W-' 


t  ^  ^Dear  beautiful  Christie  Ilio  fair,  so  young,  so  gentle, 
to  meet  so  terrible  a  fate.    Oh,  Edgar,  what  a  demon  her 
assassin  must  have  been,  worse  tiian  a  denjon,  for  even  a 
demon  would  not  have  committed  such  a  deed.     Poor 
little  child  i  what  an  awful  doom  was  hers." 
'  i    He  had  recovered  his  outward  caUnness  by  this  time, 
and,  steadyitig  his  trembling''voice,  hif  askied  : 
**?Wlio  could  have  done  the  dQodf" 
"No  one  knows.     Mjf^.  Tom  and  Sibyl  Campbell  haye 
only  iii^  arrived,  and  all  they  can  tell  about  it  is,  that, 
•,jpt||0«g  to  some  unknown  cause,  she  either  left  or  was 
tkkne  from  the  house  during  the  night,  and  part  of  her 
clothing   was  found  this  morning  covered  with  bfood. 
The  body  could  not  be  found,  and  it  is  supposed  it  was 
carried  away  by  |he  waves.     Oh,  it  is  horrible  I     Whit 
crime  woald  not  iken  be  guilty  of,  since  they  could  even 
murder  that  gentle    girl.    The  proper  authorities  ^  are 
about  to  be  apprised  of  the  fact,  and  the  island  itf  to  be 
searched  to  see  if  any  clew  to  the  discovery  of  the  mur- 
derer can  be  found." 
,  .     ■  "What  is  supposed.to  be  the  cause  of  the  murder  ?" 
\-  •  ^Ok,  there    is    no    cause  assigned.     Everything   is 
wrapped  in  thb  deepest  mystery  ;  but  I  have  an  idea  of 
my  own.    You  know  poor  Christie  was  exceedingly  beau-  / 
tiful,  and  some  one  may  Imve  become  enamored  of  her 
and  attempted  to  carry  her  off,  thinking  the  night  ancj 
storm   favorable  to  his   purpose.     Most    probably    she 
resisted;  and,  failing  in  his  purpose,  in  a  fit  of  passipn  he 
^eoay  hswrc  dain  her,  and  fled  to  escape  the  consequences 
.o|-tIae'adi."^J   ■■•'  .  .   '   .' 

"Most  probably  that  is  it,"  said  Goqrtncy,  wishing 
Utvciidf  that  every  one  else  wpuld  adoyt  h\6  wife's 
o^i|ion.t 


ii^->a»»>  ■ 


ht} 


lm» 


'>. 


Mmtmm 


m 


ooly  of  our  own  pe„y  .ro^w^X  .h^'"'' '"?"'"»  ^" 
•      wounded  and  dvini,  J'"°''F'"^/""'''  she  was  lyings   ^ 

.      andwaves,    I  dH!;    r^-L^' ^„^^^^^         wi^ 
.  mg  of  remorse  in  my  heartZ^if  ^^         "l"'  "  »  '«•- 
accQMnlable  for  thi.  crim?^  '  *"•  ^  ««»•  ¥V 

;;K»Laur»!    What  nouMnse !"  ^     ' 

_  yes,  I  know  ;  but  sUU  It «  there." 

«airs  nowT"*^""^  '™'"'"'«  "  »"•    Who  i.  down  „ 

^     Yes ;  she  went  there  about  dark  " 

"  What  1  in  all  tL  storm"'         *  < 

,        "  Yes,  I  believe  so."  ^,.  '         .     ;        '^^^ 

"What  could  have  taken  her  th%" asked  Cr^  \L'  ' 
who  scarcely  knew  what  his  owrobi  J  ^  "''"*'^' 
these  questions,  except  it  was  to  kerK^'*'  '^  ^^^^"^ 
dwelling  bn  what  he  had  done  ^^^^  ^  ^^'^  *rpm 

"I  4onot,  knotv.    Oh  ve<i  i  nr.»  r         >,  7^'  ^m 

note  brought  her  by  her  brothe"Tnd':?^^^/  '^"*'  *   1 
from  Christie  herself.    She  seemed    '1  ^^'*^  enou^l.^-^  | 

upon  receiving  it,  and  ^781^11  r^'y.^^Mcl*  Agitated 

the  isle,  in  spifc  Jf  the  storl^!-  ^® '*^  »^^ediately  to 

Courtney  gave  a  sudden  ^tart- a  fir«.n«-  i-  ..    , 
•ntohis  eyes;  his  white  f^ce^uslT^  L^^' J^^f^ 
paler  tha^  t^for^,  as  he  said  <         ^  ^  '^  *«»«K: 

"N«  T  ^^u '^  "^^^  ^'  »^^  cwtoiiwar  ""'  i 


rt* 


^'A' 

»ji*; 


»  J-j<^-)-)tt<i.',. 


BBMOBBB.  c 

r,.  **•  bid  Miss  Qaimpbtll  meet  Christie  the  night  gf  the 

'murder?'' 

"No.  I  heard  |ier  telling  Mrs?  Brantwell  t)j4t  the 
storfe  came  on  so  yiolcntly  thai  slie  was  scarce|v  able  to 
reach  the  lodge,  much  les^  the  cottage."  \       "^ 

r>r  "Are. you  aware  whether  those  two  girls  were  on 

good  terms  ?*'  ^  .  -  *^ 

u  YfYiy^  what  a  question  !    What  do  you  mean,  Edgar  ?*' 
%  ,,  "  Nothing,  nothing  ;  ap,swer.  my  question." 

**  Why,  I  really  do  i(ot  Icnqw  ;  but  I  fancy  notf?' 
"Ah!    Why?"     '  •     ;.  ; 

"Well,  of  course,  I   may  be  mistaken,  but  I  think 
Sibyl  was  jealous  of  poor  Christie  at  one  time.     Willard 
Drummond.  certainly  paid  her  a  great  deal  more  attention 
*     than  he  should  have  done,  considering  he  was  betrothed 
10  Sibyl.     But,  then,  he  was  always  ikkle." 

"  And  Sibyl  was  jealous  ?"  ' 

'"  Y<?s,  I  am  quite  sure  she  was."  i 

And,  consequently;  this  island-girl's  enemy  ?" 
"Well,  I  cannot  say  as  to  that.-  What  on  earth  do  you 

ISCAn,  Edgar  ?"y  ., 

|^>:'»  Who  first  disdovefed  the  murder?    , 

'^«Sibyl.'V" 

"  Ah  !  she  did!    And  I  presume  she  immediately  .^vent 

iitid  told  Mrs.  Tom  ?"  ''"%{, 

"  No  ;  I  heard  her  telling  Mrs.  Brantwell  that  she 
f ootid  it  out  somehow— I  forget  how— somewhere  aboui 
inidtfight';  '*Ut  she  did  not  inform  Mrs.  Tom  till  morn 

'ing."---:-  ^  '       ■    ■    '      .'  ,       ^ 

"  Why  was  tiat  ?••  \ 

"  I  don't  know.  Reall}^,  Mr.  Courtney,  if  I  were  on 
trial  atf  a  witness,  you  could  not  cross-examine  me  more 
•tfioti7,1«aid  Mr*  Courtney,  beginning  to  lo«e  pitieaca 


\f 


i^^^^^^^i^.. 


'•:-/■: 


h 


■■\ 


mUOBHE, 


S08 


r  I  wn&h  to  know  all  the  particulars,  Laura.    Did  you  ^ 
h6ftr'iinytl|ipg:  d^c  ?y  .  ^  ,^— 

I  "  No— yds.     I  heard  Mrs.  To;b  telling  Mr.  Brantwcll, 

thht  about  the  time  they  suppose  the  deed  was  committed,' 

Cirl  Henley  saw  a  woman  flying  through  the  islaqd  :  bui  "W 

/1*|»/ no  one  credits."  (^ 

I  "  A  woman,  did  you  say  ?"  ,    ^  ^k 

\  An^  the  strange  light  in  Courtney's  eyes. grew  almost    i' 
irtsullcrable.  /     '  -  '^^. 

"Yes  ;  but  I  suppose  he  dfeamt  it,  or  wished  to  add  to^^^ 
his  own  importance  by  a  made  vip  story."  '    '  ' 

"I  do  not  think  so,"  ^aid  Courtney,  w^o  had  gW' 
r^isons  for  the  belief.     "Perhaps, this  tan^fed  web  mar 


yet  be  unraveled." 

^ " Edgar,  ip  the  name  of  all  the  saints  .'"what  do  ybo 

rbean  ?"  >'  ,  -     / 

I    "Hush!     I  mean  nothing—never  mind  now.     Per-'    '^ 
haps  my  suspicions  are  pfemature  "  ' 

I     *'  Good   heavens.   Ed«rnr  '   v/^i 


||)ect 


Good   heavens,   E^gar !  you    surely  *  do    not    su8« 


•  '-is 


-.il^^  , 


,     ''JIushr  hie  said,  in  a  hoarse  whisper  ;  "  I  suspect  w^% 
^ne.-  Be  silent  concerning  what  has  passed.    Leave  me' 
»^l^>ow,  I  wish,  to  lie  down.     When  ihose  people  rffturn    ^ 
irc|ni.  searching  the  island,  come  and  let  me  koow  |be   | 
i-e|ult.    J  do  not  wish  to  be  disturbed* before.  V^^'- 

]\fli^criog  what  possible  i^eaning  could  b^  oduciied  ~ 
^eileaih  his  mysterious   words,  I^rs.  Courtney  left  the  > 
rodmv  •  /  '-    •'        r        4 

Edgar  Courtn'ey  sat,  down,  and  with '  knitted  browe  \ 
and  cbmpressedUips  fell  into  deep  thdught  Now  and^I 
then  4iis  white  facejwould  blanch  to  a  more  ghastly  hoe  % 
still,  and  his  muscles  would  twitch  convulsively ;  and, 
^inf  J||  fxpression  of  demohiacal   joy  and  triumph 


^ia.^te»3.«^M.Wi.,*ifc..^^Mii. "J<^. V>   ja.    -^. 


Lti'A.'C 


■  ^'^sa.^ 


'^ww  ,^ 


'^btfld^light  uj^  his  cpuntei^anc^  to  be  clouded  a  inoliient 

-  iftcf,  by  doubt  tn^  fear,  while  his  customary  midnight 

806%l^i^#  dai'ker  and  darker.  At  last;  a  look  of  desperate 

r<l!M>lation  usurped  every  dther  expression,  ^nd  lie  hissed 

t&t>ugfh  his  clenched  teeth  :  *'     , 

**  I  will  do  it !  I  will  do  it  \  Any0ingt  even  this,  sooner 
than  the  fate  that  may  be  mine.  It  can  easily  be  proved. 
k  Ali|^tt»r  chain  of  circumstantial  evidence  has  been 
found,  before  now,  strong  (fought  to  hang— —" 

Vi%  j^ns^d  suddenly,  and  cast  a  terrified  glance 
around,  as  if  fearful  the  very  walls  might  hear  hisi  diabol- 
te  p^  Or,  pefhapsi  the  word  suggested  whkt  might 
tft!iiift^d%  t>6  his  own  destiny.  -f^  : 

He  arose  and  paced  excitedly  up  atfd  down  the  room, 
BO  dei^ply  absorl^d  in  thought,  that  he  heeded  not  the 
fliglil  of  time,  until  the  sudden  opening  of  the  door,  and 
the  entrance  of  his  Wife  startled  him  from  his  reverie. 

"  Well,"  he  said,  |eating  himself^  and,  trying  to  bide 
his  anxiety  under  a  show  of  pamposure. 

•'  Oh,  they  have  searched  every  corner  of  the  island  so 
caicef Ully,  that  if  a  pin  had  been  lost,  it  must  have  been 
found  ;  but  it  is  all  in  vain.  They  cannot  obtain  the  slight- 
est clew  to  the  discovery  of  the  rniirderer  or  his  victim. 
All  thut  has  been  found  is  a  kuifej^  deeply  stained  with 
blood,  which  j^tacesi  the  facf  that  she  has  been  murdered, 
6i^o#d  tfie  possibility  of  a  doubt.  The  murderer,  in  his 
jlighl,'probabI/ dropped  it  unawares,"  said  Laura. 

Cpurtnev  started  in  alarm  at  the  news ;  but  a  mo- 
JH*fif{  ii^dtioti  convinced  him,  thai^as,.the  weapon 
iSil^  ifffher  tiatne  nor  initials,  and  had  never  been  seen 
trith  Mni^there  wasmbthing  to  %e  feared  from  thd  dis- 
eo^'irr.    .  .      ^       ';.'-.■..-../••-.;-    ,.^. ..-'._ 

.   ^Am^!ifttiiotheyii&«t«rtod^^d#t^1i#^j^^ 


.If, 

V 


.<■- 


^'fh' 


'itrf-' 


tu'^ 


mmosai 


/> "" 


•!  <Jo  not  know-gl^  up  the  search^  I  wppowx  •ince 
1  seem,  utterly  useless  to  continue  it  Poor,  m-Ut^ 
little  Chrisr  A  •"  *'         ^*^ 


little  Christie ." 

"  Has  Mrs.  torn  returned  to  the  island  ?^ 
"Yes." 

"  And  Miss  Campbell  ?"  ^ 

"She  is  here,  where  she  intends  remaining," 

"  How  does  she  bear  this  news  ?" 

"  Oh,  she  seems  terribly  excited,  I  mvst  say :  W I  d^t 
not  wonder  at  it.  She  insisted  on  going  with  them^o  the^ 
island^and  aiding  in  the  search;  and  has  been  Waikin? 

up  and  dowti  the  room,  like  one  half  craay,  iinc«  th«£ 
return."  '      -^^  **ii?w 

"Very  singular  agitation  to  be  produced  ty  th*  death 
of  a  girl  she  did  not  like,  isn't  it?"  said  Courtney..  In  » 
popuhar  tone.  "^*  "  *  , 

dr.rJ^^'f*^f' 1.'^''°  ^^"""^^  ^^*P  ^'""S  agitated  at  *►  ^ 
dreadful  a  deed.    Every  one  is  horror-stricken.*'  ' 

"  you  are  not  thus  agitated;  Laura  I"    '       .'  :'X 

K    \Y^\^  ^^'  •'  "°°®  '^®  ^^ss  deeply  on  that  Account  • 
but  Miss  Campbell  and  I  are  different ;  and,  bc^e^Ji 
has  known  hermuch  longer  than  I  have.   But  it  is  alm^ 
dark  Edgar  ;  and  you  have  had  no  dinner,    h^  yoti  s^. 
ficiently  reQovered  to  come  down  to  tea  ?"  , 

•|  I  tliink  not ;  I  do  not  care  for  any.    I  wili^o  to  bed/'  *S 
Let  mc  bring  you  up  some  tea  and  toast  first/'  saM 
Lam  a.    "  You  Iiave  eaten  nothing  all  day  "  . 

She  left  the  room,  and  soon  reappeared  with  the'tei.^ 
IT     ^""^  Courtney,  toisatisfy  his  wife-having  par:: 
taken  of, a  i.ght  supper-retired  to  bed,  wearied  ^fter^t 
excitement  of  the  day. ,:  * :#^   v >        ;   i^  ■  T    ^^ 

«    "« •^osed  his  cyfe^.  but  not  in  sleep,  'flour  after  how 
passed  t,n,  while  he  lay  tossing  resUessly,  strivinr^' 


^f^i^'* 


'V. 


banish  from  his  mind  the  tragedy  of  the  pilfious  might 
AJl  in  vain  !  sleep  t^ould  not  come  at  his  ct^.  Again  he 
beheld  the  lifeless  form  of  the  murdered  girl  lying  before 
him,  with  the  rain  and  wind  beating  pitilessly  oh  her 
cold>  white  face,  while  the  life-blood  bbbed  slowly  from 
the  wound  his  hand  had  inflicted.  He  clbsed  his  eyes 
with  a  shudder,  and^  pressed  his  hands  over  them  ;  but 
he  saw  her  before  him  still.  How  the  scorpion  sting  oj^ 
conscieriiee  lashed  him  now  in  the  deep  sileiice  of  the 
•olemn  Bight  I  ^:!^^ 

At  length  he  fell  into  an  uneasy  slumber,  but  only  to 
re-enact,  in  feverish  dreams,  the  vision  of  his  waking 
hours.     Still  before  him  was  that  body  on  the  beach ; 
but  now,  as  he  gazed,  the  deep  blue  eyes  seemed  to  oneo ' 
and  fix  themselves,  with  a  look  of  unutterable  reproach, 
on  his  face.    Slowly  the  rigid  form  seemed  to  rise  and 
approach  him.      Nearer  and    nearer  it  came,  withf   its 
glassy,  .stony  eyes  staring  upon  him  steadily,  ulitil  it 
stood  by  his  bedside.     His  tongue  clove  to  the  robf  of 
his  mouth  ;  cold  drops  of  perspiration  stood  on  his  orow  ; 
he  would  haVe  cried  out,  but  his  throat  seemed  parched. 
With  one  spectral  hand  it  pointed  to  the  g^sh  in  its  side  ; 
and  laid  the^ther,  icy-cold,  on  hi$  brow.    With  a  shriek 
of  terror,  he  sprang  from,  the  bed,  and  stood  trembling  in 
every  limb  on  the  floor. 

lie  looked  around  in  an  agony  of  fear  and  horror,  but 
he  was  alone;  find  with  teeth  chattering  and  head  reeling, 
he  sank  into  a  seat,  and  covered  his  face  wi;h  his  hands, 
eKclaimin|y  r    .;  ^  <         v 

"Oh,  it  was  she  !  it  was  she!  Am  I  hevei"  to  be  rid  of 
this  ghostly  presence  ?  Is  she  to  rise  from  her  ocean 
grave  thus,  every  night,  to  drive  me  mad  ?" 

The  great  old  clock  in  the  hall  chimed  twelve.    He 


k' '  ■  'V. 


^^^^In 


Wl^ 


shuddeied  at  the  sound     anrf  h^or.'»»  *    . 


< 

CHAPTER  XXVII. 

THE   WIDOWED  BRIDEGROOM. 

— MOORK, 

AND    where,  meantime,  .was    he,  whose    headsironir 
Jr\  passions    had    brought    about    this   catastrophe? 
Where  was  WiUard  Drummond  ? 
In  his  far-off  Virginia  home,  he  had  stfen^the  list 
remains  of  his  only  surviving  parent  laid  in  the  grave^si 
and  found  himself  the  sole  possessor  of  an  almost  princei?^ 
fortune.    And  now,  in  deepest  mourning,  and    u^ha 
brow  on  which  rested  srill  the  sad  shadow  of  that  newiv 
closed  grnv^he  turned  his  face  once  more  toward  the 
house  of  Sibyl  Campbell.  ® 

A  complete  change-a  total  revulsion  of  feeling  Wd' 
taken  place  wuhin  him  during  the  last,  few  days.    The 
awful  presence  of  death  had  hushed  the  clamorous  Voices' 
of  passion  and  ambition,  and  awoke  within  him  tL  deep- 
cst^feehng,  of  remorse  for  t^e  u^ly  part  he  hilct^ 


'W 


C^?' 


TM 


fipd^HiD  smpEotiot^. 


fe 


Al/faiff  sophistrt^  and  spedous  reasonings  wcr<f  s\^cpt 
aw^ay/by  that  dyitig-b6d  Vand  he  felt,  in*  its  fullest  force, 
hovirmse  and  unworthy  had  |>een  his  conduct.  He  felt 
if  W^s  his  imperativd  duty,  in  spite  of  Ipve  and  wounded 
honor,  to  renounce  Sibyl  Campbell  forever  ;  and,  let  the 
consequences  be  what  they  might,  to  tell -her  all.  It 
woi^ld  be  a  bitter  humiliatton  to  him,  it  would  bring 
Jlifeilong  sorrow  to  her,  Ijut  there  was  no  alternative.  He 
shrank  from  the  thought  of Uhe  terrible  outburst  of  pas- 
sion Jiis  confession  would  be  received  with ;  bujt  ^ietter 
this  than^the  shame  and  disgrace  of  wedding  the  hiisband 

of  anotherj  ,  ..  .  % 

Chmti<i  was  his  wifei— his  patient,  Id^ring  little  wife— 
and)  as  su  ;h,  must  be  licknowledged  before  the  world ; 
apd  with  t  le  resolution  of  following  the  ptpmptings  of 
his  better  nature,  despite  all  obstacles,  he  reached  West- 
port,  one  lowering  autumn  day,  and,  weary  and  travel- 
stained,  eijteredlhe  ♦*  Westbrook  House." 

The  firfet  peuon^on  whom  hisjeyes  rested,  as  he  went 
•  in,  was  ciplaSouy  Campbell,  sitting  at  a  table  sipping 
his  coffee  j^hd  glancing  over  the  morning  paper. 

The  niise  of  his  entrance  made  Captain  Guy  look  up ; 
and,  starting  to  his  ifeet,  he  caught  his  hand  and  shook 
it  heartiljf-,  yirhile  he  exclaimed  ?       _  ^ 

"Drummond,  my  old  friei^dl  delighted  to  have  you 
herewith  us/aj^n^^^^jicrc^liit  down.  Have  you  break- 
fasted r  -  ^^^^'^T^^^^'''^^^^'''''''^''^^ 

**No,   I   hay«i6niyju§t\  arrived,    flow  art  all  my 
friends— your  sister  and  th^.Brantwells?"  said  Willard, 
.  taking  the  proffered  seat;^^ 

**  ♦*  All  well ;  though  SiByl  has  becii  worryitfj^  herself  to 
a  skeleton  about  that  sad  a£[air^on  the  island.  VoU  have^ 
hi^urd  of  it,  I,  su'piyose?'-  ^  ..      y 


A 


iM 

'r^.. 


I^Koi  «.5a/sad  aflfair  ?"  said  Willard,  with  a  start.       -^ 
Why,  the  death  of  little  Christie,  to  be  sure !    h  is  7 
veiysngular  you  have  not  heard  of  it.    The  papers  are 
all  full  of  it;  but-good  heavens!  my  dear  fellow- ^h« 
IS  the  matter?  are  ydu  Mir  said  Captairi  GahipbeiL  ris-^ 
lag  in  alalPm.  *^      "^    ,Vl 

Reeling,  as  thoagfe  lie  W   feceiVed  a  speif  rhriist 
through  h,s  heart,  Wirtati^d  Drummond  spr.tng  to  hi^fcet, 
and  witJi  a  face  deac^y  white,  grasp^-d  his  friend  by  the^ 
arm,  and  said,  in  a  chking  voice  : 

"i>M//,drdyouiajr?    Christie  dfcad ?    Ilgt^?    wfi^tiC^' 
where?    Of  what  drdihedie.v'  ^  Tffe 

"Really, jDrummo^l this agitatidd  ik most  .itmccourtt?^^ 
able,    said.  Captain vCampbell,  slowly^  and  in  txitttiif, 
surprise.  .  '  ■^_^ 

«  n  ^*1?  '^^  '"  ^'^  Drummond,  uhh"^ling  Mi  xtfofds: 

Great  Heaven  !-spcak  and  t^ll  m^how  was  it?  mA 
was  u  ?    Where  did  she  die  ?"  ^        V  w  ^ 

^  "On  the  island,  this  is  m^st  extraordinary/'  fchTlS^ 
Captain  Campbell,  looking  at  the  pale,  agisted  Vx 
before  him,  in  still  increashig  surprise.  ^  '^ 

"Oh.Capj<iittej|i»pbelir*  exclqimtAmmair^m  hm 
tersorrow/^f  you  call  yourself  ^  f rieftd;  ^o  M  kct 
me  in  suspense  n.oxv^tell  me  aH./jIw^iJshe  die  >" 

'his  veiy  cxtr^rdinary,yi  this!"  Wcf  the  ast^. . 
i^ned  young  captain,  Who  wa/quft6  tfftprc^red  fur  su^  . 
mZA^^  or^eeHng,  W  tlie  usually  gay.^mhtm 
Willard  Drummond;     ^'Th^  you  have  n^^imM  sk 
was—         ■  v^.  •-     _^  .     I   •■    ■»  /  ■■  »^'    .'    • 

"Whar?*^;;;,r^^-:.';. 

"  Murdered  f*  Said  fca^tain  Campbell. 

"Murdered!    Ohj  Heaven  r 

And  with  a  deep  grbAn  that  icemeettmm^i^  w«y  «J 


p  m 


h' 


TJtS    WWOWBp 


BnwebnooM: 


through  his  anguished  heart,  Willard  saiik  into  his  chaiV 
and  buried  his  face  in  his  hands.  -  ij 

Ckiptain  CHmpbeil  looked  at  him  with  the*  piost 
unbounded  amazement.  * 

"Well,  upon  my  soul !"  he  broke  out  at  length,  "  if 
this  doesn't  surpass  anything  I  ever  dreamed  of  !  1  can 
understand  feeling  sorry  and  hbrrified  at  so  atrocious  a 
deed — I  felt  all  that  myself ;  but  to  take  on  in  this  way, 
is  something  beyond  me,  I  must  confess.  Waiter,  more 
coflfe©;"  ,  '7  >  I 

"Campbell,  tell  me  all,"  said  Willard,  Springing  up 

and  fiercely  dashing  back  his  long,  black  hair.     "  Who 

could  have  committed  so  base,  so  atrocious  a  deed  ?    Oh  ! 

\^can  there  exist  a  being  on  earth,  capable  of  cominiiting 

,  fo  infernal  a  crime  ?    Who  is  it  ? — speak  and  tell  liie ;  and 

■  may  Heaven's  heaviest  curses  rest  upon  him,  now  and  for 

all  eternity  !  ^  Who  hftd  the  heart  to  hurt  one  hair  of  her 

gentle  head  ?" , 

•<  DrummOnd,  my  dear  fellow,  what  means  all  this  vio- 
lent agitation  ?    What  was  litt^  Christie  to  you  ?" 

The  keen,  searching  look,  the  meaning  tone,  \and 
probing  question,  brought  him  from  his  fierce  outburst  of 
remorse  and  anguish  to  a  sense  of  the  presence  in  which 
he  stood.  This  was  not  th^'time  or  place  fpr  the  revela- 
tion; norwa^it  to  Captain  Guy  Canupbell,  that  revela- 
'  tipn  was  destined  to  be  made.  Controlling  his  agony  of 
bitter  sorrow,  and  still  more  bitter  remorse,  atad  feeling 
^$  the  necessity  of  calmly  hearing  all,  by  a  tremendous 
cflfort,  he  subdued  his  fiercely  excited  feelings,  and 
dropped  in  his  sea|faiid  said,  while  he  shaded  Jiis  face 
with  his  hands  f'"^^  '^  \ 

^♦To^roe-^o  me?  Nothing;  yet  I  felt  toward  her 
almost  as  if  sho  were  my  sister.    When  last  I  left  her  she 


jp*  JrW 


m' 


*-5* 


tas  wiDowm  sawsoBOi 


imM: 


was  full  of  life,  and  youth,  and  vigor  ;  and  now,  noi  to  I 
lear  so  suddenly  that  she  is  dead-and  murdered  I  She-I^ 
sweet,  fair,  aud  gentle  as  an  angel,  to  meet  such  a  fate  1^ 
Oh,  Campbell  I  is  it  not  enough  to  drive  oy  mad  to  tbin^ 

"It  is  a  sad  thing,  I  must  confess,"  said  Capiifn     - 
Campbell,  who,  being  the  most  unsuspicious  of  human  cs 
beings,  received  this  explanation  as  perfectly  aj^isfac^ofy ;  ' 
"and  no  one  but  a  demon  in  human  form  could  have  per-  - 
petrated  the  deed  !" 

"Who  is  the  murderer?"  said  Drummond,  in  a  dcciL 
hollow  voice.        -  ..       ^  '  ^ 

"  That  cannot  be  discovered.    The  island,  and  ev6rf 
place«else,  I  believe,  has  been  searched  ;  but  no  clew  to 
his  hiding-place  can  ,be  found.      Reward?    have   b<;ea 
ofifered,  the  police  put  on  the  track,  but  all  in  vain."     , 
"When  was  the  diabolical  crime  committed  ?"      * 

"The  very  night  you  left  N .    You  remember  ihe 

terrific  storm  of  that  night !  Somewhere  about  midnight 
It  IS  supposed,  poor  Christie  was  assassinated.  The  deed 
was  committed  somewhere  near  the  shore  ;  and  as  the 
tide  was  very  high,  the  body,  if  left  on  the  rocks,  mist 
have  been  swept  away,  Wh^t'coUld  have  brought  Chtis- 
tie  from  the  house  at  such  an  hour,  and  in  such  a  stoJm 
unless  she  had  ^n  forcibly  carried  out,  is  a  mystery  still 
unsolved."'        j,  y        /    •»>* 

In  spite  ofVlK  hiJHtjfforts,  another  anguished  groan 
aroke  from   th^  tortured  heart  of  WiUard  Drummbnd. 
Ihe  thought  of  his  note  appointing  that  fatal  meeting}  < 
Oh,  too  well  he;  knew  Vvhat  had  brought  her  there;  and  ^v 
pang,  keener  than  death,  pierced  his  soul  as  he  thought^  -? 
of  that  slight,  delicate  giri  plunging  through  all  that  I 


howling  tempect  to  meet  him  t 


^p& 


'■'  jW'^-   ■■-^■f"'"-    '■■■'      •'  ■         '•   ■^.'  .   •' ..-    •■•        "I 

"  WBo  was  dn  tlie  island  at  the  tlniic?"  h#^ked,  aftter 
a  pause.  ^  I 

"  Na  one  but  Mrs.  Tom  and  Carr  and  one  or  tijro 
negroes ;  an4— 'yes,  now  I  think  of  it,  ^byl  wastiiere  tod.'/ 

"  Sibyl  ?••  said  VVillard,  with  a  start.  ,  II 

"Yes;  8h«  went  over  shortly  aftfcr  you  went  ft^ijr. 
i»o^  Christie,  it  see^jg's^  wanted  hef  for  somethingY  tjnd 
sent  her  a  note.  What  it  contained  I  cannot  say ;  but  it 
seenifcd  to  agitate  Sibyl  as  I  have  seldom  seen  her  agi- 
tated before  ;  itnd  the  resuit  of  it  wa^  that  she  insisted, 
despite  the  gathering' storm,  on  going  to  thi^  >sland  that 
'  night."       ::,:::■'.'  ■.-       -'"  •  -.,  ■  ■.  -. 

What  t^^as  the"^  thought  that  tnaide  W}tWii't)niittrnond 
tti^n  so  ghastly  at  that  moment? 

Had  ehristie,  in  that  note,  revealed  their  marriage  ? 
and  had  Sib}'Vin  a  fit  of  passion—he  shrank  in  hor'rojr, 
in  loathing  of  himself  at  the  terrible  thought  that  tlie 
arch-fiend  suggested  at. that  moment.  Wild,  vindictiv^, 
passionate,  frenzied  in  her  rage,  he  knew  her  to  be  ;  but, 
oh  (  never,  never  codld  even  hfer  terriOc  passion  carry  her 
so  far  away  as  to  raise  her  liand  agaiiist  t hat jgenile  child's 
life.  But  who  could  have  dbne  it  ?  Christie.  IjBe  unknojvn 
island-girl^  hiid  not  an  enemy  in  the  world  e:i4cept  Sibyl ; 
and  shr^,  in  violent  agitation,  had  braved  storm,  and  dan- 
ger, and  death  to  reach  the  island  that  lilght.  Uh,  hor 
rtblc  thought !  With  his  brain  reeling  with  cortflJctinjr 
om<«ipns,  he  felt  for  thetnon^^nt  as  if  hh  vgry  feji.son  was 
leaving hftn;  :':.uj^'^..  ;■■  ~-     :   ■  ■  ■■   --j(y  -'■/•'/       -'- 

Captain  Camj^H,  sttting  placid fi^  before  hi ni,  sipping 
his  coffee,  saiv  noth|%  of  wliat  wjsiS  passing  tn  Drum- 
mond's  thoughts  j  and  setting  his  unexpecfed  emoiron 
(SiwIiH  partially,  to  the  motbid  stat^  of  his  mind  since  his 
father's  death,  and  the  want  of  I'esii^/^roaii  fti|^jp|d ;. 


M 


1* 

'. 'f^^^^H 

m^' 

fei'  . 

.>-'V^^^| 

mlm> 

^^' .: 

^^^^B 

Wm\ 

/•  -tj 


■  .V- 


'  ■>  '  I  ■ 


...    with  jour  joar„ey.     ¥ou  l7ad  better  „,ire  aton.xT'^ 

"Any  time,  lo-day,  lo  irtorrow,  iratnediateiy."  answered 
Dr»„„«,„d,  ,««here«ly.  «»rce,y  con^ioafW  W  t 

then  ?  •''»Mt.?  """  '?■"«'"?»•  W6^«  to  7<»  t»  going  - 

j  I  shall  be  ai  your  service,"  said  DrulraUd  striving 
t</«ily  l,im«,H.  "What  with  fatiguenSd  alf  i  .,? 
rather  b«,„dered  a,  y.t ;  but  ,  trust  by  it  titit  to  ^ 


ladies  at  the 


far  enough  recruited  to  pay  my  Onwir^  to 
parsonage."  " 

"Ve^  4trangfe,I  must  say  I"  musedlCaUin  Carao. 

i-nristie  8  death  should  so  aflfect  h  m.     I  had  korti^  ♦.«.  f«« 

.^  oec.  that  SiM  was  a  little  i.n.o„s  of  Chrtiirl^aith 

^  I  begm^thtalt  she  m„y  have  had  sotne  J^U 'fS  u' 

Bat,  perhaps  I  wrong  Dru™,„ond  aftef  all.  Tne    s  not 

very  exc.tablc  usually,   I    „„„„ ,.   but   his   iild    tC 

uausualy  .roubled,  Chrisfics  dreadf„l  deatS  lay  hive 

g.ven  h,m  a  shook.     He  dure  ,.ot  tr>:lc  ,vi,hJiby7  riZ 

does^he  will  feel  the  ,veisht  ,.f  „  Gnnpbellsvlgea'nce^- 

W.Uard  meantime,  had  scoured  a  T.rfvAtelrol  a„* 

was  ^eiftg  up  and  d„„„,  „„,  3,^,,.,-      ]^  L"  S»"& 

h^wSr,  "'•"?=  "'■"  """"•'"  ="4«- for  her- 

fate,  and  bitter  remorse  for  what  ho  hirtscl/Ld  done 

Aba  MM  tat  iooii  retfiimioi,,!    Gone^ero  tta^; 


M 


^^^^ 


liBi   WIDOWED.    SniDXOSOOM, 


■J-v 


:-l: 


now,  as  the  fad! ag  sunlight  fliest  before  the  approach  (Sf 
night;  and  his  lov'e,  his -hopes,  his  desires  arc  ,io  the 
ascendant  ag^ii.  Perhaps  he  was  not.  altogether  to 
blanie  for  the  fickleness  of  his  nature.  Perhaps  most  of 
i\  might  be  owing  to  his'  education,  to  those  with  whom  he  > 
had  mingled,  and  the  "^^^4  (Sf  which  alone  he  had  ever 
lived.  4Jg  ^ 

He  thought  of  Sibyl,    Th«  'momentary  suspicion  waV 
qu}et,  and  he  hated  himself  for  having  indulged  it  kn 
instant.    No;  terrific  as  he  knew  h^r  to  be,  wheii  her' 
deep  passion  was  roused,  he  felt  tiiat  Wl  on  Christie—^.  - 
guileless,  inoffensive  Christie-V-woukt  fahs^er  vengeance,  ~ 
but  on  him,  who  Hghtly  deserl|;d  it.    His  glorious,  hfgh- 
splrited   Sibyl,  the  desccndant\of  a  da)rhig,  chivalrous 
moe,  would  not  stoop  to  slay  a  weak,  un^rot^ed  gir^ 
like  this.    There  was  no  obstacle  now  to  prevent  his 
marriage;  she  might  lawfully  bec)[>me  his  wifej  wlich  his 
period  of  mourning  was  past.  .There  was  a  thrilf  of 
secret  Joy  in  his  heart  at  the  thought;    but  the  sad, 
reproachful  face  of  Christie  rose  Uk-e  a  vision  befoi:e  him, 
ond  with  n(  shudder  he  sat  down,  while  r6m9rse 'again 
tugged  at  ^s  heart-strings.  *. 

So  pas^d  the  morning  j  aird  when  Captain  Campbell 
entered  hi^  room  again,  he  fomid  him,  though  outwjirdly, 
csilm  iin4 '  contposed,  pale,  with  many^ -conflicting  emo- 
tions. '  ■      '        '.       \  .'     y]       '« 

Before  he  left<  it  was  Arranged  that  they  should  set 
out  together  Jlie  following  daiy  fof  N- — X 

And  the  next  morning  tli^^ivo  young  ^en  started  for 
the  residence  of  the  Brant weifls.   /     ;  "        "     ,- 

Thc^.  reached  it  late  tli^l  same  afternoon,  ahi3  were  „ 
warmly  welcomed  by  good/Mi;fj.  Bniintwell.    ^ibyl,  thin- 
ner and  paler  than  Willardha^  evet  bchttld  h«r,  flushed' 


^;:'fa,,. 


i  ■'•f^l. 


1.  /•    % 


WWOWMD    SRtOBGBOOJf. 


V. 


'-■•> 


^h  pleasure  a.  he  embraced  hei^  and  took  a  ««t  by  hj 

He  looked  enmcstly  in  her  face  ;  but  he  read  nothinir 
there  save  deep,  subdued  sadness;  no  guhtXei^d ^ 
Ihat^broad,  queenly  brow,  or  in  those  clfarS  ^e.!^ 

A,  a  matter  of  course,  the  conversatiin  fim  t^rncT 
on  Christie,  and  her  melancholy  fate 

Mrleltr.^^^  Drummond,"  «a, 

J!/«>m  my  friend  Captain  Campbell-yes.  mac&m" 
B«  answered,  gravely,  but  calmly.  ^^  maciam,  -     . 

Sibyl's  keen  eyts  wire  bent  with  ill-concealed  anxiettr 
upon  h.m.  and  sh*  drew  a  deep  breath  of  rd!ef  ^s  '^ 
noted  iu^iet  gravity,  as  if  a  heavy  load  h.d  b:^n^LS 

^"PoorMrs^Tomr  sighed  the  minister's  wife  "she^^ 
indeed  to  be  p.^ied.     I  urged  her  to  quit  thit l^nc^  Jj 
•sland.  and  we  ^vould   provide  for  her  somewherlTe« 
but  she  refused  ;^„d  says  that  the  only  comf^^e  Z 

"By  the  way.  ^n  Brantwell,"  said  Captain  Campbell^ 
where  ^re  the  Courtneys?    They  were    Sp^^kZ   of   ^ 
gOH)g  away  somewhere-  when  Fast  I  was  here."  ^ 

Vcs,  they  have  gone  honje  ?    Mr   Courtn*^  «o«  •        i 
very  poor  health  ;  and  even  Mrs.  Cou  tnev  n"^  7Z  ^l     I 

Sf  iT  "^T  '^^"^o^o^  Heri^i/h^piVftranawt'  '^ 
gladto  be  on  the  wing  again."  replied  Mr^  Brantwell 

Dunng  this  short  dialogue,  Sibyl  and  Wil^d  1« 
conversing  tbgether  in  UmUnm.  ^,  "^^ 


V         • 


ffWr    WiBOWBD    BaWBOBOOM, 


"  And  so  ydur  resolution,  is  really  to  go  abroftdi"  silid 
Sibyl,  lifting  her  dark  eyes  anxiously  to  his  face. 

"  Yes— but  for  some  montlM  only ;  and  the  project ' 
gives  me  pleasure  in  the  thought  alone  that^  in  so  doing, 
r  wilt  not  be  separated  from  you." 
.'  "  No  !  and  how  ?"  she  said,  in  surprise. 

'.^Then  vxHi  are  not  awa^e  that  your  brother,  having 
completetf^^all  his  business,  and  refitted  his  vessel,  is 
about  to  take  you  with  hitn  again  to  England  T* 

"  I  wds  really  tiiilte  ignorant  of  that  fact." 

"Well,  so  |t  is.  We  all  starktogether  in  three  weeks' 
titpe,  I  believe."      ;^     .         -(^ 

flush  of  pleased  jurprW  pi^tssed  over  Sibyl's  pare- 

'^Then,  in  that  case,  I  shall  have  an  opportunity  of/ 
accompiishihg  my  long-^cherished  wish  of  visiting-  Italy. 
I  h^ve  l^ng  amd  ardently  desired  to  see  that  beautiful 

{^f*  Atod  ^ter  that,  fairest  Sibyl  ?' 
"I  shall Veturn  home." 
"  And  whste  then,  beautiful  ope?' 
"/^Sumcienyunto  the  day  l3^||^  evil  thereof,' 
Sibyl,  wit  A  a  single.    ."  Who  knows  what  the  fi 
b^iiig  forth?'  .       , 

rVaLfit  Oift  tell  , you,  beiaiutiful  Sibyl,"  said  dnimmond, 
i)a  ilii^^ow,  iiiusical\pnes  that  had  so  often  thrilled  to  her 
•t^  After  that  inay  I  claim  this  little  hand  aS' 
''"liir  Sihiyl,  may  I  look  forward  to  our 
ly  brii^ 
l^er  eyes  ^PPjlThandsome 'face  bending  over 
perfcfct  love  and  devotion  now  ;  and,  like 
the  frank  glorious  creature  nhe  wasy  she  laid.,  tiff  band  io 
his,  and'said :  . . ,    -  •   .      .    ,         .  > 


hhoWUp     ^RiBBOROi>M. 


LWfi)v«bH  my  d«ir,".brok?  in  the  Voice  of  MrtL 
kwdll  at  thlslnteresting  juncture,  in  tones  of  deepen 
Jismax,  "dbyou  Icnow  what  Guy  says?  ,AH  three  of  you 
are  to  start  off  on  a  wild-gooae  .Aase  ti  Europe.  Instead 
of  setl.ng  down  and  .behaving  yourselves,  as  sensible 
Christians  should.  Ifii  really. quite  abominable,  and  I 
for  one.  hate  srt  my  face  againsMt  ;,and  I  am  sure,  Sibyl! 
you'll  agree  with  me."  ^  * 

xJ^lfj'^jT^  **"•  ®"»»'«'«"/*  ««id  Sibyl,  smil- 
M  Guy."  '''^''°''     '  ''"'* '°  «r?"'^*'  ^'^  '""<^'> 

"You  d6  r  exclalibed  thti  minister's  wife.     "Well 
upon  my  word,  if  this  is  not  too  provoking  f   It  all  comes 
of  havmga  tftst*  forrartblin8Sfln*l^i,ig  male  and  femaie 
sailors,  thfc  whole  Of  youj    I  always  thought  sailors  were 
vagabonds  on  the  face  of  the  earth,  without  aby  settled 
place  of  abode,  and  I'm  sure  of  it  nqw.    You  dU't  expect 
to  be  able  to  ^o  in  three  weeks,  I  should  hopfc  ?" 
^     "  Yes,  of  course.  I  do.     What's  td  hinder  ?"  said  Sibyl. 
^  not^^fitie  lady,  you  know,  and  don't  require  two 

tarn  Campben,  though  you  did  not  do  mrnhe  hoio^S 

2hall   ret^e  my  wounded  pride  and  indignation  to 
a-tljprse^bn,  and  bl.  ready  tcT go  Witlf youat Lamea,!^ 

Mrs.  Brafitt^reU  ^Jortulif^n  vain.    Sib^l  ^^iuld^ t 
t^s?''' ■'"'""">' '°^^^"^  nine  monthfa; 

Of  the  Evening  Star,  "QutwAtd  bound.";,     .  y       .-\      : 


fi 


Vi 


'& 


.-1%' 


o 


^ 


■'C'/' 


I'^k 


*:v#Wv>, 


<*■' iff  ,;. 


Ik 


.  ■>■  ■•^ 


""' " 


'  "V)  .  ■ 


I  'I 


^'.r'.iiyri' 


yt  "^^^'V- 


\"m 


ima    THUimSBBOLT  FALLS. 


CHAPTER  XXVIlt. 


THE   THUNDERBOLT  FALLS. 

~~~~  "  -     ."  The7  Spake  not  a  word, 

~    -      *  But,  like  dumb  statues,  or  breathless  stones. 
Stared  at  each  other,  and  looked  deadly  pale." 

I  — Shakespcau^ 

Iy 
T  is  not  my  intention  to  chronicle  the  events  of  that 
'  foreign  tour.    Suffice  it  to  say,  it  came  to  an  "end,  at 
,  last;  and,  Captain  Guy  Campbell,  Willard  Drum- 
mond,  and  his  betrothed  stood  once  more  upon  the  shore 
of  their  native  land.  . 

Th<!re  was  a  joyful  meeting  that  day  in  the  parsonage. 
Good  Mrs.  Brantwell,  as  she  again  clasped  her  favorite, 
Sibyl,  in  her  arms,  shed  tears  of  joy. 

Those  twelve  months  of  absence  had  greatly^  improved 
Sibyl.  The  rich  bloom  of  perfect  health  again^4Bftfrtted 
her  cheeks ;  her  magnificent  eyes,  brilliant  with  hop*  and 
happiness,  once  more  outshone  her  diamonds '  Through 
alt  the  fdireign  cities  through  which  she  had  ti^veled, 
her.  dazzling  beauty  had  created  the  deepest  sensation. 
Known  to  be  f^n  heiress,  beauty,  and  belle.  Countless 
hearts  had  been  laid  at  her  feet ;  but  Sibyl  never  for  an 
instant,  in  thought  or  acfc,  was  unfaithful  to  that  first, 
strong,  undying;  love  that  was  part  of  her  very  nature. 

And  now  the  period  of  Willard  Drummond's  mourn- 
ing was  passed,  and  they  had  rettyned  home,  to  be  urited^ 
at  last^.;.,.,,.;  ^  ,-.i:.^J;-"^    •■■':■,       ^l---':--.    ''  /*■     ■      d 

Ho#  ftrdeiJtlyaftd  truly  he  loved  Sil^  nx>\ii:— far  hd- 
ter^haa  he  ha^  ev^  one  before.  IIoW  proudly  he  hsri 
eauiUed  la  f be  knowledge  that  tUis  peerless,  queenly  girl^ 


m  V 


fB»     THUNDERBOLT  FALLS. 


at  who3e  feet  coronets  had  been  laid,  and  rejected,  was 
hi5— his  alone  ;.  would  soon  be  his  bride— his  wife.    How 
his  heart  had  swelled  with  triumph  when  he  beheld  the 
envious  looks  and  jealous  glances  bestowed  upon  him 
bf  more  than  one  titled  nobleman  of  other  lands.     H«^ 
longed,  as  the  blind  long  for  sight,  for  the  time  when  this 
gloriog^^tadiant  Sibyl  would  be  his  own,  undisputed 
w.fe,-beybnd  earthly  power  to  separate  them.    Until  that 
time  cam^,  he  must  live  in  uncertainty,  not  knowinir 
whether  this  prize  might  not  yet  slip  through  his  finger  J 
I      That  time,  so  ard^tly  looked  forward  to.  was  at  hand 
'  now.    Preparations  for  the  wedding  were  already  com- 
menced  on  a  scale  of  magnificence  that  was  destined  to 
electrify  the  community  far  and   near,  and  which  the  ' 
princely  fortunes  of  the  bride  and   bridegroom  could 


alone  jusirf)'. 


»  '», 


The  day  was  appointed,  aud  invitations  were  sent  piit 
to  all  the  <!///<?  within  fifty  miles,  to  attend  the  ball,  with 
which  it  was  then^i^stomary  to  conclude  a  wedding. 

Sibyl,  with  her'^usual  willfulness,  would  not  be  inar- 
ried  in  the  house  in  the  evening  ;  it  did  not  seem  right, 
she  said.  She  would  be  married  in  the  chu^h,  in  the 
morning ;  and,  as  this  was  of  little  consequence  to  the 
rest,  her  wish  was  immediately  acceded  to. 

On  rosy  wings  sped  the  time,  until  the  auspicious 
morning  dkwned.  Brightly  and  cloudlessly  arose  the 
sun.  ushering  in  a  day  as  glorious  as  e«er  came  out  of  the 
heavens.  How  little  did  any  one  dream  how  darkly  and 
fatally  that  day  was  destined  to  end  ? 

It  was  arranged  that  the  day  following  the  ceremony 

J'!'^^\  ^^  '^,'°"'*^  *g**°  ^^^  ^^^  departure  for  a 
— "Wnig^tour,  and  eiFg^tHngwaslTrcpared  ac^rdingly. 
Good  Mrs.  Bfantwdl,  as  mistress  of  the  oeramralMk 


rt-ii' 


M 


^^ 


^^^ 


«0       /  ms    T$^^hm9JiT  FAl^ 


b«d  9  V9Py  tu«y  time  of  it  for  the  preceding  two  weeks. 
, 'llilllners  and  di^essmakers  from  the  city  fill<pd  the  upper 
ruoni9,  and  cooks  aod  confectioners  the  lower  rt^ions. 
S^  her  lot  it  fell  to  purchase  dresses,  laces,  jewels,  etc^ 
for  the  use  of  the  bride — who,  with  her  characteristic 
indiffereiice  to  all  such  things,  would,  if  left  to  herself, 
have  compiitted  the  uapardonable  sin  of  bk$»ing  married  in 
her  simple  white  robe  of  India  ^nuslin,  instead  of  her 
splendid  silver  brocade,  frosted  with  seed-p^rls,  which 
the  sumptuous  t^ste  of  that  worthy  lady  had  selected 

~  Amopg  the  many  guests  invited  to  the  "\yedding- 
fea^  "we  may  menlioti  our  old  friend,  Mrs.,  Tom.  Poor 
little  Mrs,  Tom  !  Since  the  loss  of  little  Christie  she  had 
never  been  the  same  bright]  brisk,  breezy,  chirruping 
body  she  had  been  before,  and  though  still  active  and 
bustling  as  ever,  her  cheery  laugh  was  far  less  seldom 
h^rid>  Mf-  Carl  Hepley,  tool  was  to  be  present ;  and 
mn^de  his  appearance  on  the  eventful  morning  in  a  long 
bltie  "  svvaller-tail,"  brilliant  with  brass  buttons,  his  boots 
i|Q4hair  ^hiuing  with  lard,  at>d  his  round,  fuU-moon  face 
wearing  ^  look  of  sublime  beatification,  serene  in  the 
blissfMl  consciousness  of  a  newWuit  of  clothes iind  a  pair 
of  wbit^glioves,  every  greasy  hair  in  his  head  breathing 
"  peace  on  earthy  good  will  to  man." 

Two  youqg  girls  from,  Westport  were  to  be  bride- 
mi^ids,  and  a  yo>ung  Snglis^man,  whpmt  xksiy  had  met 
9,]i>ron4»  tp^^he^  v^ith  9,  cousin  ^i\  Mr.  QriAmQjjond's  were 
1^  ^?ft  gir<*/wP^^>.  Cfliptaifii  Cs«npbeM,  a^s  her  nearest  rel- 
ative, was  to  give  th?  jj^j^  tvw^yl  -'.^  ^:::'^_jl- 

Jgii5i4y  m  t)m  m^Kmog,  th©  im  <;*«*»«««  began  to 

frv||^yHe,aB4  ilK)on  |h«s  lwy?r  IWtHl  »p.d  drawipg-room  were 
tdfflt  yitfe.  gMiBiJ^h,  »iyAM>g  ^  t<!!CqBMift»3t  Hhfi  bridal 


^T^^'T^. 


K 


s  >• 


In  her  room,  before  a  fuU-length  mirrqr,  $lbyl  Camp- 
bell, so  soon  to  be  Sibyl  Drum^ioiid,  stood,  while  half  « 
dozen  girls,  headed  by  Mrs.  Brant  well,  arrayed  her  for; 
bridal. 

#,  Magnificently  beautiful  she  looked  as  she  stood  there, 
Jrrich  robe^of  sheeny  silk  floating  about  her  regal  iovmC 
%r  queenly  brow  clasped  by  a  liara  of  finest  diamonds, 
'her  gauzy  veil  of  costliest  lace  enveloping  her  like  a 
cloud  of  mist — ^her  dark  cheeks  flushed  with  excitement, 
her  magnificent  eyes  outfla'shing  the  jewels  she  wore. 

"Beautiful  t  glorious  !  radiant!"  broke  from  the  lips 
of  her  attendants,  as  they  stepped  back  to  survey  the 
effect. 

"Yes,  beautiful  indeed!"  mentally  exclaimed  Mrs. 
Brantwell,  "  beautiful  beyond  compare  looks  my  pe«^lesa 
Sibyl  in  her  bridal  robes."  ' 

And  just  then  the  door  was  thrown  impetuously  op^ati^ 
and  one  of  the  bride-maids,  a  vivacious  little  lady,  with 
twinkling  brown  eyes,  burstip^  exclaiming  :  ^  .,i* 

"  Girls  !  girls  !  aren't  you  ready  yet.    Oh,  my  good-  '' 
ness !    Sibyl^  how  splendid  you  look.     But  do  hurry ! 
That  happiest  ©f  mortal  men,  Mr.  Willard  Drymmond,  is  . 
waiting,  with  all  the  rest  of  the  foJlts— a  hundred  and^  ^ 
fifty  if  there's  one — down  stairs.     Hurry  !" 

Thus  arljured,  likl^a  flock  d*  sUrtled  birds,  the  bovcr- 
maidens  fled  to  arrange  their  own  toijiet,  and  Sibjl  Win 
alone  with  Mrs,  Brantwell.  ' 

"  My  own  precious  Sibyl !  and  am  J  ta  lose  y<>«  at 
last  ?"  said  Mrs.  Brantwelli  clasping  her  ip.  h^  «|rmfr<^<i 
gazing  upon  her  sparkling  fa^ce,  with  eyes  o^  yearoipg 
foadness.  ■  -^     .         .  ■ 

"^D«tf  Mtsl  Brantwell,  xaj  secog^d  mothisft^ii^a  t|rihat 
may;iktbe  future  biiiig^}^  It  j^^ 


iEi«aS 


"!5«?p*"Wnp5-'»B< 


-v 


TBS    TffUSmERBOLT  PALIB. 

the  second  place  in  my  heart,"  said  Sibyl,  dropping  her 
head  on  the  slioitlder  of  her  friend.  x 

"And  you.  are  happy,  perfectly  happy,  my  own  dar- 

*10h,  yes,  perfectly  happy,  too  happy  for  words  to  say. 
Oh,  Mrs.  Brantwell,  my  only  fear  is  that  such  intense  joy 
^  is  too  blissful  to  last." 

T*  And  you  have  perfect  trust,  perfect  faith  i\i  jiim  who 
is  so  soon  to  be  your, husband?  Does  no  doubt  still 
linger  amid  all  lliis  love  ?*' 

"  None,  none  1  not  the  slightest,  not  the  faintest.     Oli! 
'  t  wronged  him   by  ever  do^ibting  his  truth.     I  could 
stake  my  hopes  of  heaven  on  his  fidelity  now,"  exclatmed 
Sibyl,  with  some  of  her  old  fierce  impetuosity.  I 

'*  Thank  Heaven  for  that !"  said  Mrs.  Brantwell,  with 
a  sigh  of  relief.  "  Oh  !  Sibyl^  dearest,  eradicate  forever 
from  your  heart  this  fatal  dream  of  jealousy  ;  to  doubt 
one  we  love  is  de(epest  misery." 

"Oh  !  Iknow  it ;  I  know  it,"  said  Sibyl,  with  a  shud* 
der,  as  she  recalled  the  stormy  past 

And  just  then  the  tripping  of  light  feet  approaching 
the  door  was  heard.  v  < 

*'It  is  the  girls  coming  back  to  take  you  down  stairs," 
said  Mr&  Brantwell.  "And  now,  my  own,  my  dearest 
girl,  may  Heaven  bless  you,  and  grant  you  all  happiness." 

"Amen!"  solemndy,  almost  sadly,  said  Sibyi,  as  she^ 
returned  her  embrace^  and  stood  waiting  the  entrance  o£ 
her  bride-maids. 

They  burst  in  in  a,  bevy,  fluttering  round  the  br^ 

like  bright-winged  birds,  ias  they  shook  out  their  glit^er^ 

Ing  .plumage    with    little,  white,  jeweled    hands,  and' 

„  annoynced  that_thfi  bridegroom^^MidLhia  irtends  wew, 

iir«itia|^|i^  Uiea  U  ^  Ni^  ^ 


.r" 


pm   TBVmmBOLT  FALM 


",f 


And  together  the  bride  and  her  friend,  descended  the 
stairMoIlo«red  by  Mr^  Brantwell,  and  emcred  the  ha^ 
jj:    crowded  with  guests.  -  .         ^ 

^K  ^   'T  '?1!*"'"''  °^  *dn»»'^ion  passed  through  Uw 

^^t?'  »^*«d«o»e^^  suave,  and  stately,  stepped  16^  ' 
ward  and  drew  h^  hand  within  his  arm,  and  led  Iwsr  to 
the  carnage  that  was  to  convi^  them  to  Ihe  church. 
"'    :  \*^«^«/*>«'-«/o"owed  ;  and  as  that  sacred  edifice  was 
situated  but  a  few  yards  from  the  house,  they  nsached  tt 
in  a  short  time.  '*»»^cu  » 

Th^  church,  too^  was  crowded,  mostly  by  stranirem:^ 
some  from  places  far  distant,  drawn  together  by  tS 
rumors  of  the  bride's  wondrous  beauty     So  crowd^ 
was  .t  that  half  the  bridal  party  could  not  find^  J 
but  were  obliged  to  stand. 

Mr.  Brantwell,  in  full  canonicals,  stood,  book  in  hand. 
awamng  their  approach.  -nana, 

and  stood  before  him.  <        ^!^* 

And  at  that  very  instant,  like  an  inspiration,  flashed 
acn^stheeyesof  VViUard  Drummond  the  remeib^^ 
of  the  strange  vision  he  had  seen  years  before.  Here  it 
was  all  there  before  him.     The  crowded  church!^ 

ZT  '"7'k^'  -'-rsym^nund  bride  wearing  exicU^ 
the  faces  of  those  he  had  beheld  then.  -  ^^ 

A  thrill  of  vague  terror,  he    knew  not  whv    shot 
hrough  his  heart.    He  thought  of  Chri^iJLToX  ^^ 

S^fei   of /i  *°  r""^    ?"'  '»»*"'  »»^"°«r  his  eyes. 

^  -  ''4«-  ■■■.  ,    ' 

u 


■*r^7:«v: 


the  cctfemony  began,  amid  ft  bre^Wcss  t^itt^.  a%  thr 
vast  co«t«^fsc)i«tcned,  Willi  the  eagerness  they  always 
do  on  suiib  occasimis.  .The  questions  were  |iat  and 
ihisxwrcd  ih  tls6  tisiial  nianner,  whcti  a  sHgl^t  tumult  at 
the  door  broke  for  the  first  time  the  impressive  silence. 
•  t^e  cWgyrt***  ^  *^'"**^**  ci>nciudcd  lliC  ceremony, 
tmd  the  britfcjrrobm  ivftW  just  putting  the  nuptial  ring  on 
the  finger  of  ilielmde,  with  the  words  :  ♦'With  this  ring 
1  0o  thee  wed  ;  with  all  my  worldly  goods  I  thee  endow, 

^  th6  tiame  (»f-^ "  *      .    /'  ', 

**JIo/dl  I  forbid  the  marriage!"  cried  a  deep,  stern 
^oice,  ihiit^g'^hroughthcchurcl^.  „ 

Every  heady a»  tui^ed,  every  eyfe  was  riveted  on  the 
speaker,  a  tall,  determined-looking  man. 

Wlitte  with  vagtie  apprehensions,  the  bride  and  bride-  * 
groom  (urned  round.  Mfhile  the  bride-maids  shrieked  out- 
light  at  the  interruption.      ,    * 

Mr.  Brantwell  stood,  like  one  thunderstruck,  book  m 

haitd.  '  •  - 

And  the  stranger,  the  cause  of  all  this  commotion, 

Uralked  steadily  up  the  aisle  and  stood  before  t  h^. 

••Who are  you,  sir ?"  was  tjie  ftinazcd  and  angry  ques- 
tion from  the  lips  of  Captain  Campbell,  who  ivas  the  first 
to  recover  from  4iis  shock  of  astonishment  at  this 
astounding  interruption.  .  ^  ,  j  .    ». 

"  Sheriff  Lawless,  sir ;  atid  it  is  my  pamful  duty  to 
prevent  this  marriage.**     ' 

'•  By  what  right  ?"  fiercely  demanded  the  young  man 

with  kindling  eye«^^  r;    -  7  , 

.      ••  By  a  right  all-8ufncl«nt  for  the  purpose,  youfig  man, 

tHHoly  answered  the  shcrii.    "  I  have  a  warjfWt  he-«  f«« 


l*^> 

S';^' 


"  H(Afimr' 


?  '*5' 


man.".  '^oM  Charge  f    FiMa  «f« ^^ 

A  wiid.  terrific  shriek T'fn^"*'*'^"  *  '^^  ^" 
It  was  the  voic^  E^"»  ""«  ^"«''.  *i^  lHM.i|. 


CHAPTER  XXIX- 

TM  IwivOflOJ?  Of  LOVK.  '^^ 

"lJHio^not.l.skiiot        • 
,J'K3"'''s  in  thy  heart: 
I*ui  know  thai  i  love  tWe 
Whatever  thou  Ml.  "^Mooip 

TTwoMjd  be  impossible  to  depict  or  describe  t^«^ 
sacred^e:^"*'"*"^— >was,bor«e 

M»niig  at  the  olSoial  'wradldHy,  lui  «bMd 


ul  duty  t»^B\    staring  at  the  oaojal 


.v,\ 


:% 


^-^^ 


'  «s 


y 


m 


amazement,  bcctfmc  mute  lis  the  grave<  listening,  with 
breathless  interest,  for  the  denouement  oi  this  astounding 
interruption,  with  the  eagtir,  morbid  cariosity  a  crowd 
will  always  listen  to  anythiijg  of  the  sort.  . 

But  the  grouparound /the  altar  ;yAry  were  the  focus 
of  all  eyes.  Captain  Guy  Campbell,  his  daric  eye  blazing, 
his  brow  corrugated,  his  lips  white  with  passion,'  stood 
gazing  on  the  sheriff,  as  if  he  would  spring^on  him  and 
rend  him  limb  from  limHi  on  the  spoQor  makiri^.i80  ter- 
rible a  charge  against  a  sister  of  KiS'.-T^, 

Tliat  gentleman*  Stood  ocalm,  ^tiirp,  and  unmoved, 
upheld  by  the  consciousness  that  he  i^^s  doing  his  duty, 
however  painful,  and  keeping  his  eyes  fixed,  with  some- 
thing like  pity,  on  the  fac^  of  the  bride. 

Willard  Drummond,  fearing  she  might  faint  or  fall, 
had  encircled  her  >vAist  with  his  arm;  and,  though  lais 
own  face  was  perfectly  colorless  with  horror  and  indig- 
imtipn,  stooped  and  whispered  : 
i  **  My  bride-^my  wife — my  dearest  one,  be  calm  1  This 
monstrous  accusation  will  be  explained." 

Be  calm  !    There  was  little  need  to  tell  her  to  be  calm. 
1^  After  the  first  involuntary  shock,  she  stQod  like  an  out- 
raged  empress  before  them,  her  regal  form  drawn  up  to 
its  full  height,  her  noble  brow  expanded,  her  dark,  mag- 
nificent eyes  blazing  with  insulted  prid^ind  unutterable 
™g,  scorn,  her  full  lips  curled  with  a  contempt  too  profound 
■    for  words,  her  whole  face  and  forril  irradiated  with  tlie 
'[     light  of  insulted  majesty.  // 

There  was  one  instant's  death-like  pausp^  broken  at| 
last  by  the  voice  of  Mr*  Lawl4s:S,  saying  politefy :  i| 

"  I  am  very  sorry  ife^t  painful  necessity  compels  me  to| 


thu8~^Wes£irTjp  the  iesti^itii 


r~^rhi&  chargft'^ 


4^nit  the  ladf  may  be  groiindles*— I  ho^  it  it.  ^But  I 


r' 


•rJr^^Sfi^l 


Sf^WAti 


/    \ 

«w  ^BvoTioir  OF  mya. 


l« 


h^  a  duty  to  perform,  however  unpleasant  it  may 
met,  and  to  all  of  you."  .        ^ 

-On  whose  charge  is  my  sifter  arrested  for  this  d 
said  Captain  Campbell,  in  a  deep,  stern  voice, 
the  si^ift''  "'  ^*''  ^^«-  Courtney,  I  believe,"  ans^ 

^"Edgar  Courtney  !"  rang  from  every  lip.  i,^  tones  h 
which  amazement  had  completely  mastered  WL  oU»2 
feeling.     Even  l^jbyl  lo6ked  bewildered.  I  ^  x 

.  'l^^'l^^  '"  ^"PP°''  °^  '•"  deposition  he  has  brought 
to  bear  ^hastrong  chain  o^  circumstanti«l/evide„t 
that  even  in  the^ace  of  the  proof  being  brought  againsr^ 
young  lady  S0  wealthy,  high-born,  and  distf^iguifJed  „ 
Miss  Campbe^^,  it  wi^s  found  necessary  to  issue  a  ^Z^t 
for  her  immedliate  Apprehension."  :  ^^        "  ^^* 

.1,  "  "^^r^"  ^M^ens !  this  is  maddening!    Oh!  for 
the  thunderbol^eaven  to  blast  that  douhle-dy^i  j^ 
jurer  where  h^  ^t^,"  exclaimed  Captain  Camp^U 
passionately.    A  /  >v  "  >^**»"pocu, 

t,.r„M'!'°".f-K^?T/^*'''  *^*S"*"'  outburst,  the  8|i«^" 
turned  to  Sibyl  aiui  said,  courteously  ;    ^   . !^^h^X«. 

to  ^fT?r^^  '^'^  ^"'^  **  exceedingly  unpleasant'" 

Wfiere?/  said  Sibyl,  in  a  tone  of  soeh  Woematur*! 
calmness,  th^t  everyone  Was  startle^"^^      Wpematural 

«  Miss  Campbell,  Um  very  sorry;  but  it  is  my  duty 
to  convey  you  to  the  county  jail,  to  await  your  trial/'  ^ 
Th^county  jai|  !"/exclaimed  Sibyl,  losing  her  poweiw 
ful  self-cpntrol  for  the  first  time  during  ^thTs^^ 
scene ;  and  w|ih  *convuW«M*wkfc«  ^iHiL  k!  *  ^ 
Willard>  shoulder,        *™^^ 

^«^»«5pe*1ili^^ris%i^^^teefied  earth 
^  heaven  t«tcr  he.  fromhim;  but  stil|.WspoK* 


m^ 


M^tL. 


''•/,Wil' 


-•  '  ■'■■■■    ■'   J  "■■"■■:■'  ■  ..    ■-.    -".'A 


imH.    V[a9it  tl^mposftibtlily  of  th««lifti^e?    Waslt 
his  indignation  and  horror?  or  was  it  ihbiiwfut  eonfir-  ^ 
'  ittiljkm  vif  hb  §fst  doubts,  and;  the  Tivid  reeotlMtlon  of^r 
the  scene  at  the  a8trul<]^o#'s  that  held  him  dumb.  '  ^^v. 

But  Captain  CamphfU,   losings  all   setf-control,  afl  "^ 
retnembrance  of  where  he  stood,  once  more  pMsionatel}r°  . 
iikd  impetuoiksly  broke  forth :  \ 

<* To  tb«  coanty  jarl  .^  So  help  me  lleaTeni<~Bever  ! 
Never  will  Sibyl  Campbell  submit  to  such  a  degradation  ! 
$tM>ner  will  I  sho(4  her  dead  with  my  own  hand^  where 
the  stands  I  Oh,  'tis^onsHxxis  N~outrageouf||»rrthat  any 
,  «HU^  should  dare  tp^ccose  a  Campbell  of  such^aik  .liftfernal 
dltd  anil  liiy«  iXhift  exdatmed,  cl<K»chlng*  his  handta  an^ 
tcmh  In  hia>mpotent.  iery  wrath.  >     \ 

"  My  dear  Guy,lbe  calm  ;'  iomeaeil)«r;  where  jW\are," 
tmlfrpcuwd  Mr.  BriintweU,  MX^hingly:  **  If  Mr.  Lawless 
wints  bail  to  aay  amount,  whatever  jrou  may  name— r-  " 
,  "  Parson  BmMwell^  I  sliould  like  to  obligeyou,  but 
jrOti  lUust  be  awdre  that  I  cannot  listen  to  you  t  unfortu- 
ntAalft  the  cbaigieie  i»ot  %.  bailable  ooet  And  I  trust," 
added  the  sheriff,  glancing  half  tbnMrteBittgly,'hatf  pity- 
iiUl^y  at  Gaplaia  Campbell  **  no  reidstaace  wUl  be  offered 
mdl  in  the  «ttscharge  oC  my  solemn  duty:  for,  painful  as 
Ukft  aanooocement  isi,  th«9e  it  no  help  for  it  The  young 
lady  wKf/ come  with  me^**  '  y    -.  -' 

,  ♦*  A  IjMriile  ta  spend  hiw  weddliB|r:.da!y  la  a  prison-cell ! 
dk,  saints  ta  beavwK  V*  irfiuddering^  exelaimed  Mrs. 
BMMtwelk 

*^I  aift  ready,**  aaid  Sibyl,  lifting  her  paH  beautiful 

-^fnO^  aad  (q;>e«ktng  in  toaea  dhsnpernatoral  calmness. 

**  I  will  go  with  jraii,  sir,  arfd  ther<i  will  be  no  resistance 

iqawredi.  '€^y*  dearest  iary>thoy>'ha-€atmj--tl^  violent 

*«ittfi^  Aid  «%aiid  will  t«war  y«arsall    |l9s-  Bnnt- 


'">,  ■^^ 


DBvoTmjsr  om  zovm 


"iM^'i' 


/ 


:/ 


well,  najr  I  trowble  you  to  bring  me  my  maatlc  fi 
carnage  ?"  "^  ♦  v  .< 

\^^^'^^'^''''''^^'-  Braatwelliwrlng. 

altc^^"''^"'  dear  madam,  there  .eem,  i  b^^ 

'•  »ut  aot  io^tfe^  drcss-.not  In  tlat  dwss  !    L,  ma« 
she  not  retura  tu  the  parsonage  and  c^nge  Uer  ires,  r  ^' 

,   Madam.J|Mnverysorry,butlcaanof  JoJ.ifihtof 
my  piysoner."  1  ^  "^  f'^!*^  vf 

Campbell^d  he  clenched  his  hand,  and  groaled^S 
bitter  degradation.  >  /^      ^\* 

...  '1  ^''T/"*  *^ 'ii'f  '^^^  '^  fi^°-  ^•■^  Bran  well,  dear^> 
est  fncndl  farewell  for  a  short  time  only,  I  tius^,  'guv 
brother  Jo  pot  fee.  this  ,o  deeply  ;  i«  a  f,^v  dL?  X  S 
to  ret«/,Vto^yo«  all  again.  VVUlArd"-^herlclear.  f^ 
vcccofiokcd  for  the  first  time  as  she  tur«eJ  to  MmS  ( 
"cleaj/st  WiHard.  I  must  bid  you  good  b^'  J  -  -^ 
.  'VOh,  Sibyl!  Sibyl!  Ob,  tny  wife!  do  you  tiink  IwiM 
lea/e  you  thu,?'  he  cried,  passionately.  ..f unh  .ediog!^; 
rn^ny  eyes  upon  him,  he  strained  her  to  his  be  som  l^, 

lT\^Z  T^r  '"^l  "*  ^'^  '*^«  t^:^on4  their 
/each.     Oh.my  bnde!  my  beautfful   One  !>r(jr  will  I 

/leave  you— //«vr /"  j— -^.-^rj^'^"    ■    "•* 

/      A  radiant  glance,  a  look,  a  smik  re^^a^  htm 
every  heart  thrilled  at  his  anijuish<jd  tones. 

"VourawnHn  life  or  death,  in  shame,  disffWce.  and 
m-sery-evcr  y^ur  o«rn  1"  she  said,  lookw^  im  iiThis  il^ 
with  deep,  earnest,  undying  loVe,  t?'  *^  'H  ^  '^ 

sob^'  M  '  ^n  *  '^'^:'^^  ^"  '^'  ciiurcli;  SVery  L„e  wa, 
sobbmg~Mfi  nnnt^ivell^  ^Qavuiaiydrthat  tfaelh^r|^ 


while 


/ 


r* 


k' 


i>f 


#.-  ".'•''  lit 


f'-J^;- 


IZC^  DStimoir   oV    Z0T7. 


#fio  WM  i^lljf  a  kind-heaitecT  man,  was  deeply  dis- 
tressed.   ,^    .^.  I  ■ '  .•    ; 

**.Mis8  Camipbell,  will  you  accept  my  arjn  ?"  he  said, 
ibeling  the  necessity  of  bringing  this  scene  at  once  to  an 

end.    "My  carriage  is  at  the  door  to  convey  you  to- " 

,     "The  county  jail !    Oh;  Sibyl/!  oh,  my  sister  !     Would 
to  Heaven  you  had  died  before  ypu  had  seen  this  day  !"- 

** Brother,  brother!  be  calm.  Mr.  Lawless,  I  attend 
you,^^  ,said  Sibyl,  advailcing  a  step,  as  if  to  talce  the  arm 
he  offered. 

But  Willard  Drummond  intercepted  the  movement, 
.InIcI  drew  her  arm  within  his  own,  saying,  with  a  fierce, 
threatening  glance  toward  the  sheriff : 

*'I  will  attend  you,  S^ibyl ;  I  alone  have  the  right. 
I<eadon,  sir" — to  the  sheriff — "we  attend  your  pleasure. 
No  one  on  earth  shall  separate  me  from  my  bride  I" 

**  Mr.  Drummond,  the— the  cerem<my  was  not  finished 
when  the  interruption  occurred,"- stammered  the  minis- 
ter, looking  deeply  distressed.  ' 

But  a  scornful  smile  was  Willard  Drummond*s  sol6' 
reply,  ad.  he  clasped  the  arm  he  held  closer  within  his 
own.     ■  \'\    ■  ,     ,  '      _   -     .    ■ 

**  I,  too^  will  go  !"  cried  Captain  Campbell.  "Slieriff 
Lawless,  your  strict  sepse  of  duty  will  not,  I  trust,  pre- 
vent your  alfowing  me  to  accompany  my  sisteifi  to  the 
county  jail."  > 

"  Captain  Campbell  is^quite  welcome  to  a  seat  in  my 
carriage,*'  said  the  ofiicer  of  the  law,  with  a  grave  bow, 
and  without  heeding  his  bitter  sneer. 

"Farewell;  Mrs.  Bran|weMK— my  more  than  mother, 
farewell !"  s^id  SibJ'J^s  the  whoie  party,  preceded  by  the 
sheriff,' advanced  down  the  aisle. 

" "  Mn  i^»inw«n"str<>wito  fe|?^ 


'M 


■•  -J" 


choked.    Taking  her  husband's  arm,  she  followed  them 

out.   •  ,  ■  .  V,-;™, 

The  Whole  assembly  arosie  en  masse,  and  started  lor  the 
door,  casting  threatening  looks  toward  the  sheriff,  at 
though  half  meditating  a  rescue  on  thespot.. 

A  plain,  dark-looking  coach,  with  a  mounted  poUco-  ^ 
man  on  either  side,  stood  near  t|ie  gate.  '    ;    '  >  f ^ 

The  sheriff  paused  when  he  reached  it,  and  signified 
that  they  were  to  enter.  Mr.  Drummond  handed  Sibyl  in 
and  took  his  seat  beside  her  ;  Captain  Campbell,  with  a 
stern, gloomy  look,folIowed  ;  and  then  the jrt.eriff  sprang 
m,  closed  the  door,  and  gave  the  order  to  drive  on.  Sibyl 
bent  from  the  carriage- window  to  wave  a  fast  adieu.  Jo 
Mrs.  Brantwell ;  and  the  crowd  standing  on  |he  chuTch- 
steps  and  court-yard  caught  a  momentary  gli.npse  of  her 
pale,  beautiful  face,  with  its  sad,*twilight  smile,  her  dark, 
proud  eyes  more  scornTul  than  ever  in  their  JiumUiaiion. 
That  haunting  face,  so  perfectly  colpriess,  with  it^  bright, 
jetty  ringlets,  its  floating,  mist-like  vail,  its  orange  blos^ 
soms--coiild  it  be  the  face  of  a  murderess  ? 

The  next  moment  she  fell  back,  the  blinds  were 
closed,  the  driver  cracked  his  whip,  the  policemen  put 
spurs  to  their  horses,  and  the  sad  cavAlcade  moved  rap^ly 

Hushed  intb  the  silence  of  death,  the  ^rowd  stood 
breathlessly  gazing  after  it,  until  the  sound  of  the  car- 
nage wheels  had  died  away-the  last  cloud  of  dust  raised 
by  the  horses'  feet  vanished.  Then  pale,  and  awe-struck, 
hey  drew  a  deep  breath  and  looked  with  tearful  cyei 
Into  each  other's  pale  faces,  wondering  if  It  were  not  all 
tdream.  ./     *?  « -vi  iw* 

Whispering  in  1^  hushed  Uinerliefti* 
^y  setfiuftcd,  »na  wenctediW  my  ip  their  rwpocti^ 


■  5,;r 


.^■ 


o 


V 


tt* 


t,^ 


? 


=rr 


hoiMs ;  and  i»  hulf  «» liovr  %h9  eburch  vm  m  istill,  tHent 
anU^esertend  «s  tk^e  tomb. 

Lihp  wil4ffire  spread  Ihe  aeirs ;  aad  before  niglit  it 
was  abt  only  known  to  all  the  county  rcHin4»  but  for 
many  a  mile  distant  The  whole  communltj  was  electri- 
§»d  by  a  catastrophe  so  unheard  ol  Children  quit  their 
play,  women  their  wortc,  lovers  tWr  whisper^  and  labor- 
«r«  their  daily  toll,  to  talk'  over  the  astouodioiaf  arrest. 
5rhe  wealth,  the,  respectability,  the  youth,  the  beauty,  the 
m^t  the  welUknown  arro^aace  and  pride  of  the  race  fit>m 
whictt  the  accused  had  sprung;  all  tended  to  hei^htco  aad 
deeipen  the  breathless  interest.  And  the  time  and  place — 
fbSi  occasion  of  occasions  on  which  the  arrest  had  taken 
|4at!e-<KM>  UMtre  than  all,  sent  a  thrill  of  horror  through 
•v«rybeaft^.  Each  circumstance  of.  the  interview  in  the 
«il|t#chwas  exaggerated,  and  people  listened  and  swal- 
loiiredeverythi.n9  with, avidity.  ^  v 

tn  the  parsonage^  meantime,  a  elb«id  qf  the.  deepest 
g)»om  bad  settled  over  its  lately  joyous  inmates. 

Mr.  and  Mr&  ^vantwell,  with  the  three  bride-maids 
«»«!  Will  ^afford,  bad  "Immediately,  upon  the  departure 
mi  Sibyl,  entered  their  carriage  and  driven  to  the.minis- 
Itr^liouse.  r.;.--^.  .  -  ;A..;.-;:..^^,  -  ^   ,  .-.^;;..  ,,^,^^:,:- 

And  the  bride-maids,  in  gl^t  agttation,  ubt  to  say 
daef)>  disappointmeat  at  losing^  the  ball  in  the  evening, 
drasaed  themselves  and  went  immediately  home. 

Mrs.  Branfwell  sat  weeping  in  a  perfect  abandon  of 
gfief ,  in  the  p6rlor  below,  and  w^tild  not  be  oooiforted.^- 
Mr,  Brant  well  and  Mr.  Staflord,  themselvea  Indifep  dis^' 
tvetn,  9tf()kve  to. console  lier  in  vain. 

-PotfrWm  Stafford!  4t^^>TOS  not  without  a  stiosgl*  he 
ImA  smi^  Sibyl  given  up  toiuMtiMNr ^  bml  lO^iif  llit  sharp, 
1IIBMU9.  pain  at.  his  .^eai«  ■■  imdftr> J^.li||(;ii)MilV|M  M 


IF' 


•     Z^™  determined  to  be  gay,  .,d  conquer  Kb  Ht 
hIiTi?  0™n<ta<H,d,.an  uoeasy  coDscioutoew  that  he 

,  cious^y  |,ke  the  bndegfoQm  oq  that  occasion-  but  L 
'•  p«oh.po«hed  "  the  notion  as  prepo«er^«„'a  i^^'.  J* 
forget, t.  It  was  nearly  dark  when  he  had  i^^Id  tw 
'  ruo-away  pair,"  as  he  called  them  j  and  he^uW  t^ 
distinctly  ,^e  the  face  of  the  man-Theirl^rT  *** 

^^:!^  ^""  -^^^'^  -  r:::r:r^ 

h^eZiMr  n   '"''"^i  ''"^'  °*  cou,^.  it  could 
have  hecn^Mr  Drummond,  the  betrothed  orsibyl  OMt^ 
bell     So  he  had  hitherto  scouted  the  idea  unt«  hbSS 

ni'nff,  Mrs.  Brantwell  was  still  8o^binff  on  the  sofa.  i« 
passionate  grief.  s  "«  iqe  sola,  in 

"Now.r«lly.  Harriet,  this  I*  Wong^this  iHlnfut 

t»vc  kept  him  he«^  tog    Oh.  Sibyl  ■  ^^^l-  -'nS 
M.S.  nrantwell,  withafreih  burs,  of  grtrf        "'"'*'"'•"  " 
.k.  !?'  .f**'  """*"'  »«*  •■»  hope  for  Ike  best     TM.   ' 


im^^f^" 


jam  ifsvoiiojr  <^  lots. 


titplaincd,  and  Sibyl  set  at  liberty,"  said  Stafford,  sootti- 

ingly.  •  w  ,  A         ,     . 

'*  Oh,  I  know  all  that— I  Have  not  the  slij^htest  doubt 
bu^  she  will  be  discharged,  soon— very  soon  !  \But  think 
of  the  horrible  injustice  of  this  dc^  !  that  she,\my  beau- 
tiful, high-minded,  proud-spirited  Sibyl,  should  ever  set 
foot  within  a  prison  cell,  much  Ipss  be  brought  Ahere  as  a 
prisoner— and  on  her  wedding-day,  too !  Oh,  it^  cruel ! 
it  is  most  unjust !  I  have  no  words  to  express  the 
unspeakable  wrong  it  inflicts  upon  her.  Th^t  hfcr  n^me 
should  be  bandied  on  every  tongwc— should  be  proclaimed 
as  a  felon's  in  all  the  papers— should  be  the  tdpic  of 
every  tavern  far  and  near !  Oh,  Heaven  !  why  U  this 
monstrous  iujustice  permitted  ?"  cried  Mrs.  Brntitwtell,  in 
^U-increasing  sorrow  and  indignation.  \ 

"  Now,  really,  Mrs.  Brantwell,"  began  the  more  bod- 

^rate  spouse.  ^ 

*•  Mr.  Brantwell,"  sobbed  his  wife,  locking  indtgnaiitly 
at  him  through  her  tears,  "  if  you  can  sta;nd  there,  lobk- 
ing  so  cool  and  unmoved,  it's  no  reason  why  otli«rs 
should  be  equally  heartless.  Oh,  Mr.  Stafford  !  WoAt 
you  ride.lo  Westpott  and  learn  the  issue  of  this  arrest,  ox 
I  shall  die  of  suspense  r  r  ^  ^ 

«*  Most  certainly,  madam ;  I  shall  go  immediately,' 
said  Stafford^, standing  Up.  "I  was  about  t<y  propose  it 
myself  when  you  spoke." 

"You  will  return  as  soon  as  po»siblet?"  called  Mrs. 
Brantwell,  after  him,  as  he  left  the  roootl- 

«•  I  shall  not  lose  a  moment,"  said  the  young  man,  as 

^e  ran  down  stairs,  sprang  on  his  horse  and  dashed  fun- 

--  ourfy-t^wifd-ths^awa^ 


As,  it  WHS  im^siblc  with  the  utmost  dtpiciairton,  for 
Um  to  rttttrn  jjefore  the  next  day,  MmL  B*aiit#dl  pre»^ 


i^' 


'/    TBB    DRVOnOJf  OF  LOTS.'        < 

pal^  Herself  for  a  night  of  ling-jring  torture~the  tortu,^ 
of  suspense  To  the  anxious,  affectionate  heart  of  the 
good  old  lady,  that  long,  sleepless  night  seemed  endless ; 
and^she  hailed  the  sunlight  of  the  next  morning  with  joy 
as  th^  precursor  of  news  from  Sibyl.  "'•'*' 

As  the  morning  passed,  this  anxiity  and  suspe^  grew 
almost  unendurable. .  Unable  to  sit  down  for  one  mo^^ 
Mrs  Brantwell  paced  up  and  down,  wringing  her  hand^ 
and  twisting  her  fingers,  and  looking  every  other  mome^ 
down  the  road,  whence  Stafford  must  come. 

But,  with  all  her  anxious  watching,  the  hours  passed  ^1 
on  ;  and.  It  was  almost  noon  before  the  ^^elcoine  sound 
of  a  rapid  gallop  met  her  ear.  and  brought  her  eager, 
palpitating,  and  trembling,  io  the  door.  Yes,  it  was 
Stafford,  but  the  hope  that  had  sprung  up  in  her  breast, 
d^dlaway  at  sight  of  his  foce.  His  horse  was  reeking 
%lV-^'u^  ";  .■''?  ""^'^  ciisordered  and  travel-stainedT 

deersstt       h'    «  '"''  ^^'^  '^"^  "^^^Sard,  as  if  from 
sleepO^sness^a^d    sorrow,  ,nd    his.  eyes    gloomy  and< 

•  Oh,  Mr.  Stafford,  what  news  of  Sibyl  ?"  gasped  MrsL 
Brantweil,  faintly.  ,f./:-  j^     .   gaspco  ^rs. 

"Oh,  it  l«|ust  ^It  feared  it  would  be  !  Sibyl  is  fuUir 
committed  for  trial."  saic?  Stafford,  leaping  off  his  hors^ 
and  entering  the  parior  excitedly.  ,  y 

.hhT'*  ^f  ^«!»»ii"' "d  sick,  dfopp^  Into  a  chai^ 
and  boved  her  fac*^  iq  her  hands,  unaWc  ta  atMjak  j  and  . 
her  husband  took  up  the  ipquiry-*  .  i-'  *^c' *"*• 

-     ||Haveyou  scerfSibyir      '  ^  -  '- y- T        ^i     -- 

^J!i?^'  ^Vl  ^^^'  *"^*'  P'^son  cell,  behind  an  iron 
f?T^^  '»J/  sheweiie  yome  uadoubted  criminal/'  ^^^  _ 

'How  doet  alio  Wr  thi9  bloir>»*  f  fe    r 


■  V  .. .  1 


3svanoM  oji'  Li^ym 


Oh,  when  on*  is  talking  to  her.  she  is  calm  And 
proud,  and  scoralfnl  enough  ;  butj'asshe  lifted  hex  head 
when  I  first  ^ent  in,  there  was  such  fixed,  utter  a^nguish 
and  despair  in  her  eyes,  th%t  I  hope  I  may  never  see  tlie 
likbagaifi."- .-.;■-.'-'', -■..-v^-.;.:,--.;^:'    /:.  - ' 

'<  Foor  Sibyl  1    When  does  this  trial  take  place  ?" 
■  "  NeJtt  week.   It  seems  there  are  not  many  cases  <»ccii- 
pying  the  court  now  ;  and  hers  occurs  among  the  first, 
at  the  special  request  of  (ler  friends.  ■•  r 

*•  Have  they  en^q^^  counsel  ?''  * 

«yes,  Mr.  P-^—?,th4  best  lawyer  in  the  State."       1. 

**  And  her  brother  and  Drummond,  h<jW  do  ikiy  bear 

thisT  '         • 

"  "Oh,  Captain  Campbell  swears,  and  threatens,  and 
looks  a»  much  like  a  maniac  as  any  one  /.  ever  want  to 
seei  I4r.  Drusamond  is  calm  ;  but' there  is  something  in 
his  very  calmness  more  indicative  of  grief  than  all  Guy's 
more  violent  sorrow.  They  have  engaged  lodgings  at 
Westport*  %nd  will  remain  there  until  after  the  trial." 
"  Is  there  any  doubt,  apy  fear,  about  the  issue  1^' 
**  No;^  in  the  least ;  there  camwi  ^e,  you  know.  It  is 
impossible,  utterly  impossible,  there  can  b^  an  instant's 
d'aubt  about  her  acquittal.  The  trial,  therefore,  will  be 
nothing  but  a  serious  farce  ;  but  it  is  the  infernal  injus- 
tice, begging  your  reverence's  piardon,  of  making  Sibyl 
Campbell  a  principal  actor  in  it,  to  stand  before  the;  gaze 
of  hundreds  in  the  prisoner's  dock,  that  is  so  inhuman. 
Oh,  there  does  not,  there  ra««^  exist  a  human  being  on 
the  face  of  the  earth,  so  lost  to  reason  as  ta  M^g  she. 
feuldlie  guilty  of  such  a  crime." 

"  :  ~<*tiiririBrili^  geatt  wgefc  do#>  th»  trwtl  tritc-t^ace^ 
asked  Mr.  Brantwell. 

<*  It  opens  next  Tueidft3F»  I  hsliejM.    And  If rf.  diraat 


TBE  xmr^Tiwt  tm  iQim  ' 

we\  I  have  heard' tW  you  are  to  be  subpoehaed  as  a 
witness.         .  -V  -. 

W»rl  would  hawf^»mm«y«»i^»  paid  Mrt  JBranil 
well,  fkintly.  "  My  poor  Sibyl !"  and  wUhaaothcr  burst 
of  tears^er  head  fell  qq  tbe  ubl«  again.  ' 
^  "Rea^y,  Mrs.  Brantwell,  yoti  will  make  yoursspllil! 
by  thi^fo^ish  ladBlgeno,  Ql  «mf,'»  iiadl  iM»r  husband, 
uneasily.     \  • 

,    "  ^"^  **!•<•"»«» '^'^  ••«»«*ty  tor  if^^ 

feeling  It  *is  duty  to  say  something  consoIiM.  "Sibvl 
will  mow  certaltoJy  be  acquitted,"  :,   ^    ^        V  .  ' 

«Ob, don't  Ud^  to  me, either  ol  yoo»" inW  Mrs.  Bmnt- 
well,  glittlantly.  '♦Ydu  are  men,  and  ciw^t  iwdemand 
how  tfc^  will  da»|e«  all  Sibyl't  fttMip|  Uf*,:  I  fed.  I 
knuw  she  will  never  Wover  from  it,*      ■ 

Thc«« traeaii  emh^#aasing pauatt^and th«a  Mr.  Qmnt. 
well ,fa*d i -■■■;;>;'/,:- "-.^-..Vs  ,'':. ;  j-^r.^-  \  /    ;:":..  -. 

«I  will  gotii  Wwtpife^  day  iwfo^  comes 

on,  and  stay  there  until  Sl^l  it  di^iged,  poor  girl  I  I 
suppose  she  and  Mr.  Brufe^wo^d  wUl  immediately  «aU 
for  Eun^pemitii  <hU  iio happy  ^air  is  forgotten,'^ 

'Most  liMy.  A»4hawlW  hid  you  »wh  good. 
morniog  I"    ,  '  1  ^Y     . 

;'VVhyl3rttly«i»otiitU%««iier?   Where  ve  you 

going?*''  "  '  ' 

"  To  Westpoft    Not  to  leav«  It  again  until  this  mi._ 
Jble  tnal   ta  owr,   G^od-by.-    Awl  Staffofd  hurried 
from  the  house,  and  mounting  his  ^UU  feeking  horte, 

rode  rapidly  %My^       ....     •  . /•  *        ^ 


•j,-' 


''^1 


m 


-■■•s^ 


.*i 


■n. 


#y^^ 


'*  1*1^  '^S 


aiBTL'S  DOOM. 


A. 


t 


CHAHTER  .XXX. 


SIBYL  S  DOOM. 


A/' 


**  Oreat  Heayen  I  how  could  thy  vengeance  \\0A 

So  bitterly  on  one  so  bright? 
^  -Honr  could  the  hand  that  gave  such  charms, 
, '  ^ast  them  again  |n  Love's  own  arms  ?"    MooKX. 


«(■    - 


S  Stafford  had  said,  a  subpoeoa  lyas  served  on  Mrs. 
Brantwell,  to  be  present  at  the  great -atrial  aTaput 
which  everybody  was  talking.  That  goj^d  lady, 
Who  had  determined  already  to  go,  regarded  it  ^  a  use- 
less cere  mtfny  ;  but  Fate  seemed  detennii^ed  t&  deprive 
/  her  of  that  melancholy  consolation,  for  two  days  beforil 
the  eveptful  one  on  which  the  trial  was  ip  t^fee  pl!|ce» 
poor  Mrs.  Brantwell,  worn  out  by  exciteinent"  and  ccfn- 
stairt  weeping,  was  seized  with  such  a  violent  sick  head- 
ache, that  she  was  utterly  unablie  to  leave  hter  bed.  la 
vain,  when  the  day  "  big  with  fate  "  carae,  did  She  attempt 
to  rise.  At"  the  first  effort  she  was  seized  with  such  a* 
deadly  faintnesa— sb<;h  a^  blinding  giddiness,  that  she  was 
instantly  forced  to  go  to.bed.again.  And  there,  half  deliri' 
oi^  with  herpead  "throbbing  and  beating  like  mad,  sh^ 
was  forced  tO(  lie,  while  her  physician  wrote  fi  certificate 
bf  her  inability  to  attend,  wbicb  Mr.  Brant  well  was  toU 
convey , to  Westport  '  .?•  :"'■  ^ ;■-"  /. ■^■■■^ •  •^^:".,v:  ■  ■  I 
How  that^day  passed,  and  the  next,  and  jM  next,  Mrs.  l 
Brantvvell  never  knew.  Lying  in  her'darkcnedichaihb^, 
wth-  baiMialfes  wet  wilir^^ 
ing  fbilRi^^d,  with  servants  tiptoeing  in  and  oitt,  and 
speaking  in  hushed  whispers,  the  time  passed  as  it  do«f 

'  \  ,   '     .■  :  ■  •  I      tin- 


&STL'8  DOOM. 


:¥ 


in  a  dr«im.    Wuh  her  mind  as  well  as  ner  body  utteri? 
pro^rate   she  was  spared  the  suspense  concerninrSe 
position  of  Sibyl  she  must  otherwise  have  suffered 

lang:u,d  she  was  able  to  rise,  and.witfi  the  assistancrof 
Jenny,  des<^nded  to  the  parlor,- where,  smothered  ih 
shawls,  she  lay  rocking  back  and  forth  in  her  large  eai^ 

And  now,  recovered  from  the  first  prostration  of  bod- 
Uy  Illness,  she  thought  of  the  tine  Ihht' had  passed  and 
b^ian  to  feel  ,11  the  tortures  of  doubt  and-agoS' 'u^ 

^^"^"^^'^^^^  this  *iuncer|ainty,  that  she  was 
abou  to  dispatch  a  messenger  to  Westport  to  learn  the 
result  of  the  trial,:when  the  clatter  of  horses'  hoofs  before 
the  door  arrested  her  attention,  and  the  nexl  instant  the 
door  was^thmwa  <^en,  and^Will  Stafforf  stood  before 

screnmet^  as  she  «iw  him.  Worn,  haggard,  and  ghastly 
with  convulsed  b*>w,  white  lips,  and  despairing  eyes 
w.tb  such  .  look  of  passionate  giief,  anguish,  and  despai; 
that  ihe  sci-eam  was  frozen  on  he*  lips  ;  and  white,  rifed. 
»nd  speechless  Ae  stood  staring,  unable  to  utter  a  word 
Without  spekking,  almost  without  loofeing  at  her  he 
tW  himself  inp^^i,  ^^  ^^^^  ^,,,^,^^  .^ '^I^ 

Oh!  whatpieant  that  look;  that  at^ion,  that  Ominb«»1 
l^coceiJiMLonc  moment  the  sigfat^itemedvfe^ 
Brantweirs  eyes^the  po^er  of  life  seemed  Klying  out  in 

Z  a"V^^^  ^^  ^^^^^^^y  ^^^^  ^^  ^'^  ^"'  she  resisted 
the  deader  ftiiiitness  that  was  creeping  over  her,  and    .^ 


'W'/%V^^''4^'", 


L 


r 
4 


«sk«(^  ill  •  voice  to  low  and  tremulous,  that  it  was  almost 
laaudibte:  ,  \i  *      -c  ,        ' 

"  Wbiat  ol  Sibyl  r  ^  '  ^ 

A  gijoan,  that  seepaed  to  rbnd  the  heart  from  whfch  it 
camey  b|Lirst  from  the  lips  of  Stafford. 

'f  What  of  Sifc^l?"  repeated  Mrs.  Bxafikwell,  breathing 
hard,  in  her  effort  to  be  caim.     ./^        ^  'm 

"  Oh  !  Mrs,  Branf well,  do  not  task  !"  exclaimed  Staf- 
.  ford,  ia  a  stifling  voice. 
-   "  Sibyl,  Sibyl  !'*  were  the  only  words  the  white^  quiv- 
ing  lip&  could  utten       '' 

"Ob!  how  can  I  tell  herTeried  Stafford,  springing 
up,'and  wildly  beginning  to  pace  the  room. 

"  Sibyl  I  what  of  her  ?"  wailed  Mts.  Brantwell,  press- 
ing her  hands  to  her  heart. 

"  Sibyl  is — oh,  Heaven  ?  how  can  I  spealc.  the  terrible 
words?"  exclaimed  the  excited  young  man,  pacing  up 
tatd  dowBr  Itlee  one  demented.  •  ,  ^ 

**  Heavens  !  will  you  tell  me  before  I  go  mad  ?**  cried 
Mrs.  Bn^ntwell,  booming  as  much  excited  ttshims^lf. 

"Then  listen— rsince  I  must  repeat  her  awful  fate! 
Sibyl  has  been  tried,  convicied/and  doomed  to  die P' 

The  look  lb«|  llr«.  BiaDtwett's  face  wore  that 
laoniient,  never  left  the  memory  of  WiM  Stalford.  There 
was'  a  sound  as  of  many  waters  in  her  ears,  a  sucld^n 
dturkness  before  her  eyes,  her  brain  reeled,  and  her  head 
dropped  tielplessly  on  the  arm  of  her  chair. 

Stafford,  in  alarm,  flew  to  the  bell ;  but  ovjbrcoming, 
with  a  mighty  effort,  that  deadly  inclinattoii^o  swoon, 
i=4ift!ed.nfi.,heg.headj  and  hnlf.rat»ed4ier-haad|Hw-»^faia 
raotion^o  stop  him.  >  ^ 

^I  wiint  nothing;  it  {«  over,'"  she  said,  tr^oduloasly.  ' 


^w*. 


f:^^%. 


\ 


hi 


^?/ 


«^t^«b«rfb»  Bje  and  tcU  «ie  ilk    The  wiwrt  13  oven 
aoo  I  CAD  Q^f  anyifating  now." 

'*Ofe*  It  ins  liomb^  monstTOus,  omrageoiM»  this 

^  Beatencj,"  exclaimed  Staford,  i«kl»8  b«rs|  af^onat% 

gfiei    I  never  d««aied  for  a^  instant^-nevctdldivthiJ 

she  would  b*  condemned.    Oh,  cura*  thai  CourtW  f 

he  hissed  throjMgIt  bit  clenched  teeth..     ^ 

;Xf.U  me«iU    Oh,  tell  me  all  V  said  Mra.  Bnwtw«fi. 

^»7i«g^  steady  her  twroWtog  voice.  ^^^* 

/*  I  »dsih  I  could  I.  I  came  foi  that  purpo^  j  but  I  as^^ 

go.ag  «rt»4J  tWeJj,"  wid  Staflford.  throw! VbiUseifintt 

acha«rwith80«»eilai^likeahowlof  mingled  rage  a»d 

Jjse^  couW  have  «ade  Ul^^^,,^^  ^aUe  Z 

:       r  Was  it  -Sibyl  r       /    ,'     ^"■-  '  >,\ ,  ;  _  ^^^, 
"Yea I    Mr.  Bran|w/ll  could  not  Imvet  ^  fiist  aaf 
could.  aadWil^iiat  be/her^ till  to-morrow,  and  I--pbl  I 
rodeas  tf  tN^  iaa^moa  we«.at  n,y  beelsall  th^a^ 

T  io^^^*^  '^«««»»y  aS?ai«  tut  riNl  pill  a^^^l^^ 
through  Goiittney's  brain;  for.  he'a  the  cauTor^al? 
wuh  h^  Jart,olW  ,H^u«,staniial  evidence^^Mi^ 
Stafford.  #,thstiU  inewasing  vehetneaca  ^. 

"  Mr,  Stafford,  do  give  me  the  particulars  r  -  " 

"  ^5>"^  Jc  itw  the  trial  was  to  coditneace  on  Tu^^sd^^y  »»• 
^^    "    '  '         '     '  ^v^"":.f#f-' 

.K  7  *  *'  ^"^^  *'  '^^^  doors  df  the  court-house  were 
yvvaopen,  the  galleries,  and^aircasss.  and  every  ^r, 
=*?Wfte*tmtirng  were  filled  to  suffoeatioa  by  a^ eatrVr 
£^^vd.  I  got  iu  among  the  rest  <if  the  rabble,  ^nd 
^ured  4  good  place  where  I  could  ^^elid  b.ar  eveiy. 
Wttt«.   0»««|rt«wi«ft<»i^«»QaM5r.the  people  bad  £ 

'if- .        •  -  ■      .  ,  .  -       / 


SXtittfa  DOOM, 


wait  a  gfpod  while ;  and  just  as  they  were  gettinj^  clain< 
orous  and  iimpatient,  they  saw  the  carriage  making  its 
way  slowly  through  the  mass  of  people  that  lined  and 
crowded  the  streets,  unable  to  obtain  an  entrance  into  the 
court-house;  Then  every  one  was  on  tiptoe  with  expecta- 
tion to  see  the  prisoner,  the  fame  of  whose  wealth  and 
beauty,  and  the  strange  circumstances  attending  her 
arrest,  had  been  blazoned  the  Whole  cduntry  round.  It 
was  with  the  greatest  difiSculty  that  ^  passage  could  be 
forced  through  the  crowd  as  she  entered,  dressed  in  deep- 
est black,  closely  vailed,  and  in  the  custody  of  the  high  sher-^ 
iff.  Captain  Campbell  and  Drummond  folio w^ed  closely 
after,  and  took  their  places  near  her.  As  she  took  her 
sealg^^you  might  have  heard  a  pin  drop,  so  intense  was  the 
silence ;  but  when,  a  moment  after,  she  threw  back  her 
vail,  and  her  pale,  beautiful  face,  with  its  dark,  proud, 
'scornful  eyes,  that  w^nt  wandering  for  an  instant  round 
withr contemptuous  disdain  for  the  gaping  crowd,  a 
low,  deep  murmur  of  admiration,  surprise,  and  pity, 
passed  through  the  va^t  assemblage  of  human  beings; 
and  the  next  instant  they  were  profoundly  still  once  more. 
**The  jury  were  already  impaneled,  and  the  presiding 
judge,  and  the  State  attorney,  and  Sibyl's  counsel,  had 
taken  their  places,  so  the  trial  immediately  commenced. 
When  the  clerk  of  the  court  put  the  customary  questioa 
-^*<juilty  or  not  guilty' — I  wish  you  had  seen  the  slender 
form  of  Sibyl  tower  aloft,  and  her  glorious  eyes  flash, 
and  hef-  beautiful  lip  curl  with  scorn  and  disdain,  as  she 


answered  < 


A, 


^*  There  is  no  use  in  my  telling  you  the  State  attorney's 
ohafge.  v^ou'll  see  it  all  in  the  papers,  if  you  have  anjr 
ctirkMity  09  the  subjfcct.    Ail  I  need  sayi^  thattt  seemed 


■>^- 


BISTVBDOOM. 

foil/ "^^  K*!'""  "  ««~».  Whose  inteSgtp^^ 
apce  he  saw  had  already  made  .  h„„  s  '"™»  PPPfW- 
mtads  of  all  presenr  bL  h.  f     f  «P '"'P'««ioo|  on  ih, 

*d'he'""r  ,"*  '"'""'"^^  wel:  rdSui"^ 

and  he  made  a  lon«.  preamblf  about  demoos  w^^,^  ,hL 

ever'chS^;trd\r;tT*ol"ftT"' ''""''«' 

prisoner  at  the  bar  had  ^Jn^  al  ,^.  k*'  '"'•""'"! 
show  that  .1,.  i."^K  ^^' ""''  ""at  he  would  sooi 
-Z  ^f'"''"' '"«'  •>«■>  ever  noted-even  since  childS 
—for  these  same  faults     Ti.*«  i,     j        '•w*-*  vuuanooa 

■  '■"h^«^wouldb«a?T.''",''"'r''""  '"•"""S-stf 

i-8  that  .h«'eS^girfwa:  S  wtfeTlr""  •"'  '"^■ 
lover-married   to  hirf  in  '  ""  Pn«'w'« 

^is„,ai:"ar/:q;:je"'  «-=--.■.  ,oow„,  „pi. 


ssii'S*!'*^  #>l«wen;  his  wife;  and  ah*  «„,*«; " 
^orow— heard  the  wordsj  he  »tar«e<i,i»rt% 


^« 


V 


»  ^ 


4 


ja-  1 


and  Jturn«4M^k»dly  urbiteas  if  ticfjl^  recoiv«dii  pistol- 
shot-througii  the  hearts  Sib}!  tift^  tret  wilil>  bHick  i:yes, 
d  reading  in  that  look,  that  action,  the  tmth  of  the 
words,  with  a  loAg,  low  ciy  dropped  her  face  in  hev 
handSi  with  such  a  \o^  oi  uttef/despair^  th«t  «very  heait 
stood  still:  Captain  Campbdll  sprang  tip  as  if  sonra  one 
had  speared  him,  and  woui4  have  throttled  Druinmond 
on  the  spot,  I  firmly  befiAvtyif  a  fioUcenan  had  not  inter- 
l(^d,  and  held  him  back.  "^ 

"The  first  witne^  called  was  an  old  Methodist  minis- 
ter, who  deposed;  on  oath,  that  he  Imd  married  Willard 
Orummond — ^wbom  he  prom<ptIy  tdentified'^to  a  young. 
gijrl  called  Christina  Tomlinson,  about  a  year  and  a  JmLf 
previously,  a^  nearly  as  he  cottld  thea  recoUect.  They 
wer<!Jilarried  at  night,  without  attendants  ;  ioinil  the  bride 
I^HW^med  very  much  frightened.  I{e  concluded  by  giving  a 
description  of  her,  whicli  exactly  tallied  with  that  of  lit^e 

'   Christie^.;-;-:  -  ,;^^  .  ;-^.      ^-  -    -  '   '"^"  ^      -  ^| 
"  Mrs.  Tom  washed  called,  and  affirmed  that  pn  j>lf« 

"  night  in  question,^  Christie  had  gone  to  Westport  w|th 
Drummoi)4^ilnd  when  tlicy  r<5turne4  late  at  night,  sjie^ 

-  Joantr^r  niecd  lying  senseless  in  hisanns,  whicli  cir* 
^msfance  he  accounted  for  by  sonie  plausible  reason  she 
had  now  fofgotten.  Being  crosS-exaniineH,  sHc  aflirmed 
that  the  deceased  nnd  the  joying  n>an  Drummond  were 
%l|fcays  toget iter,  after  the  prisoner,  left  ihe  island  ;  nnd 
she,  Mrs.  Tom,  not  Hking  th^ir  miimary,. had  endeavored 
to  put  a  stop  to  it,  but  in  vain.  She  could  not  swear 
positively  that  her  niece  ^nd  Miss  Campbell  were  bad 


■Jti 


friiods,  but  nhs  did  not  thinte  they  ware  ^>ft -go»d  4erm&= 


ioV 


and  bet-  principal  reason  foV  ending  the  intimacy  betweea 
the  deccM^Mtd  aad  Mr.  Diamond  had  been  the  fear  of 
thp^itowr^  <ai^pe%wbicli  she  iir  ew,  tcbva  «»oilfdy  watf 


.(  I 


*      X  r 


X 


extremely  niotent    That  on  the  night  of  the  murder  tile 

a^^""!?*^"^  ""'  "^  ^P'"'**  and  complaining^  I 
a  headache,  had  retired  early.  That  when  sl»e  aWokf  fo 
U^e  morn.ng  she  found  her  gone,  and  the  hdHse.doJr 
apen^  things  whKrT,  had  never  happened  beforeA  That  ^ 
ll^r  «»«P'c;«ns  of  the  truth,  until  Miss  CaApbeH 
came  ,d  i^a  told  her  her  niece  was  murdered.  ThJ 
thereupon  they  had  gone  down  to  the  beach  together,  a^ 
sh^ad^ent  fied  a  handkerchief  belonging  tAerl^::^ 
marked  vruh  her  name,  deepjy  doited  with  blood.    T^      ' 

tr^^^^'llT''.   "r^  »^"berta  appeared  to  care     ^ 
for  Ciiristie-seemed  deeply,  almm  wildly  agitated  that 

^ornmg    which  had  surprited  hV  (the  witness)  nott 
liftle-at  the  time.  - 

••  Wrs.  Tom  was  then  dismissei  and  Ci^n  Camp- 
beU  was  called  to  take  the  stand.    A  lo^rmurmur  ^ 
s^mimthy  ran  around  as  they  observer!  his  pale  and  hag- 
g4  d  face;;  and  all^i«ened  with  breathless  interest  to  t4 
e,i,mony  he  relu^antly  gave.     He  said  that  on  the  even. 
ing  of  the  murder,  beirtgr  en   the  island,  Christie  Hni 
approached  4nd  given  him  a  note,  which  she  directed  h^ 
%^u  T  *"'  '^•^'^'^     That  he  had  done  so  ;  and  that 
S.byrhadnpp«»redviolenUy  agitated  upon  receiving  ii, 
and. mpetuously  insisted  upon  going  to  the  island  th^ 
,o!L5"^*'^  bad  urged  her  not  to  go.  but  she  had" 
los'sted^  and   upon   his  telling  her  Carl   tfenley   #w 
gomgover  that  evening,  she  h^^  |^id  she  would  accora- 
pany  him  ;  and  he  bad  then  left  the  room,  and  fee  did  not 
see  her  again  for  upward  of  a  fortnight 

i.»r^I"?  W«nl*/  "««t  tTOfc-tbe-sntmi;  ffinriffeFtYe'wS" 
^th  stated  tl.«  on  the  evening  of  tl»e  murder  he  had 
token  bibjrl  aijross  t<i  the  i.land.    Th^^  in  the  *oat  7m 
M  talked  wil41y,  thoi^h  k^  .^mld  n^/ecoileot  ^ 


mj 


msTva  Doox. 

she  bad  u^^*  That  she  had  left  him  when  they  had 
reached  the  more,  and  had  run  up  thf;  rocks,  through  the 
storm,  in  the  direction  of  the  lodge.  That  he  had  returned 
to  the  cottage ;  and  shortly  after  went  to  bed,  leaving 

*  Aunt  TTom,' as  he  called  her,, and  Christie  db#n  stairs.. 
That  about  midnight,  being  awakened  by  the  violence  of 
thci  storm,  he  had  got  up  and  distinctly  heard  a  cry  of 

*  murder/ though  wHetber  it  was  in  Christies  vbice  or 
not,  he  coui4^ot  say.  That  a  moment  after,  by  the  l^gbt 
of  a  flsish  of  lightning,  he  had  seen  a  woman  flying  past, 
With  long  black  hair  streaming  behind  her,  'jest  like  her,' 
he  expressed  himself,  pointing  to  Sibyl.  Being  cross- 
exam_ined,  he  swore  positively  to  seeing  ihe  woman,  whom 
be  said  he  took,  at  the  time,  to  be  Sibyl ^  and  nothing 
her  counsel  could  say  could  weaken  his  testimony  in  the 

least.';' 

*** There  were  several  otheir  witnesses  examined;  but 
though  I  have  forgotten  their  testimony,  it  all  went  to 
prove  that  Christie  was  beloved  by  everybody  who  knew 
her  but  Sibyl ;  that  she  had  not  an  enefliy  in  the  wprld 
but  Sibyl  Among  others,  came  that  infernal  Courtney, 
who  swore  positively  that  he  knew  Sibyl  to  be  jealous  of 
Christie  jand  in  proof  of  which,  adduced  several  circum- 
stances that  seemed  to  have  a  great  deal  of  weight  with 
the  bench;  that  Sibyl's  agitation  upon  receiving  (jhris- 
tie's  note  was  so  palpable,  that  he'lbiftgan  to  have  misgiv- 
ings on  the  spot ;  that  when  he  beheld  her,  the  following 
day,  after  coming  from  the  island,  she  seemed  like  one 
deprived  of  reason,  as  if  *  remorse  for  some  crime ' 
preyed  upon  her.  Oh !  I  could  have  strangled  the  white- 
'\  livcred  villain  oa  the  spot,".said  Stafford,  grinding  hii 
"  teeth.  ♦♦  Then  the'cburt  wasidjouffl((jd''unar^^^ 
I99  4V9%  sa<i  thte  priiOn«r  removtll. 


'i-U,^' 


^ 


::x:-" 


aOMTf/S  J^9»M 


^^pt 


Ktfxt  day  It  was  the  same.    1^^  m  U^e  aew^ 

evidence  against^ibyl ;  but  U  seeioe4  cl<9ir  to  all  \\aX 
the  jury  had  already  made  up  their  minds  as  to  her  guili^ 
and  that  h^r  yputU  and  beauty  poiy  ^.^mitA  la  aggrav^t^ 
her  crime.  '  !!I^ 

"  Then  the  defense  was  taken  up  ;  and  ¥r.  ^--— made 
a  very  good  speech,  and  did  all  he  could  t<|  disabuse  So 
mmds  of  the  jury,  but  it  was  like  k<»ti«g  ^h*  ^r.  H4 
did  all  he  could,  but  that  was  tpo  little  (q  ^^^  $^^,y^. 

"The  State  attorney  rose  agaiu,  and  i^  «9idf  «1|  p.', 
arguitaents  in  a  cool,  contemptuous  iQ^mier,  that  carried 
ednviction  to  the  minds  of  the  fpectatora  And  then  the 
judge  arose  to  sum  up  the  evidence  and  charge  the  jurr. 
In  his  mind  there  seemecl  not  thft  f»ii|t«st  sMow  bim 
doubt  as  to  the  guilt  ofethe  |N»sQner.  I  otipvot  ^xmZ 
ber  what  he  said  ;  but  I  know,  despite  hit  gwy  hairsTl 
felt  a  demoniacal  desire  to  k»Kk  l|im  di*wpl|l  tfct  tkif 
he  was  speaking.  Then  the  jury  wilbdre^lp.  d«liU.^ 
and  during  their  brief  ab^«^  tjw  «il^iw^  «f  death 
reigned  rn  that  crowded  courttKwiin,  «v«ry  «««  waa 
bent  upon  Sibyl ;  but  after  bea^iug  of  WiUaf^'s  m^x\^ 
^e  never  lifted  her  head.  It  ww  «s  il  tk<;  beaW^t  bl^ 
th^t  could  possibly  befall  ber  had  pawe*  iwd  Ufo  « 
death  mattered  nothing  to  ber  ^pw.  ^ 

JL^l  t7-  '^'!/*''  *^**  *•**  •^'"*^  ^  ^ 

wturned.  Their  sudden  entraivee  wm  o«lfiQ||ii  but  thZ 
grave,  stern  faces  were  more  ominQus  s^uT^I  hadW 
fraspthearm  olam^n  beside  whom  I  sIm^  |or^  felt 
myself  tabling  la  ev«i-y  liwb,  Thf  juron  #11  ftood 
erect,  and  every  breath  seemed  «H«fl«|ided. 
"' Gentlemen  olthfl  jury,  »^ff«f  tou  ftgrriri  iinnn  imiii 


*•  toft  jNmr  biMiQf/  mmmm  ik^^mmm^. 


^'n 


il 


§m^^  '•    i; 


f- 


BIBTL'8  DOOM. 

'     >*  'How  say  you,  then?    Is  the  prisoner  at  the  bai 
guilty   or  not.  guilty  of  the  crime  with  which  she  is 
V  charged  ?'  \ 

"  '  Guilty  !'  was  the  awful  response.         \ 

«  At  that  word,  there  rose  a  ci^  that  thrilled  through 

every  heart ;   and  Willard,Drummond,  like  a  man  pos- 

.  sessed  of  a  demon,  fled  froml  the  house,  while  the  appalled 

"  crowd  fell  back  in  turA  before  him.    A  dreadful  silence 

followed;  and  then  the  judge  arose,  and  in  a  voice  that 

trembled  in  spite  of  himself,  said  :  ; 

"  •  Prisoner,  arise,  and  receive  the  sentence  of  the  law.' 
■  "  Every  breath  was  suspended,  every  voice  was  hushed, 
but  the  prisoner  neither  moved  nor  stirred.  She  seemed 
frozen  into  the  attitude  in  which  she  had  fallen,  at  the 
news  of  Willard  Drummond's  perfidy. 

"Mr.  Brantwell,  who  was  standing  near,  with  a  face 
feale  with  deepest  pity,  touched  her  on  the  shoulder,  and 
said,  in  a  faltering  voice  : 
'      "  *  Sibyl,  my  dearest  girl,  arise  ;  let  me  assist  you.' 

"  H^  took  her  arm  and  supported  her  to  her  feet ;  but 
^when  she  lifted  her.  head,  all  beheld  a  face  so  cold,  so 
white,  so  rigid,  with  such  frozen  eyes  and  colorless  lips, 
sdch  an  awful  )bok  of  woman's  deepest  woe,  that  every 
face  grew^l^,  and  every  eye  was  filled  with  tears.  As 
fbr  tne,  I  relt  as  if  I  were  going  mad.  I  heard  the  judge 
saying  something— to  saVe  my  c^ul  I  could  not  tell  what, 
until  the  last  awful  words  met  my  ears  : 

•« « Prisoner,  the  sentence  of  the  court  is,  that  you  be 

Wken  h<?nce  to  the  prison  from  whence  you  came,  and 

from. thence  to  the  place  of  execution,  and  that  there  you 

nged  by  the  uQClt  until  you  are  dead  l' 


<¥A, 


"I  could  listen  n6^  longer.    How  I  bursTTrbm 
crowfl  I  kttQW  nbti  bu|  I  rieacbed  the  open  air  frantic^ 


■*«■ 


••v 


,^ 


SIBTTS  DOqii. 


almosVma^dened.  The  crow\poured  out  after  me.  and 
presently  tEe  prisoner  appeared  between  your  husband, 
her  brother,  ^d  the  sheriflf.  \  ' 

_  "I  saw  np  one  but  3ibyl.  HW  face  wore  the  sanw. 
fixed  stony  loe^^had  done  w^n  she  arose-not  a 
muscle  had  quj|||.    It  was  evident\he  heard  not,  cared 

T  I  u  Wf^'^'^  ***^"^  '^  ^^^»  her.  Ybroke 
through  the  clSW^ike  a  madman,  until  I  stood  before 
ner.  §,  ._ 

«« Sibyl— Sibyl  r  I  cried  out.     , 

"  Something  in  my  tbne  arrested  her,  and  she  looked 
vacantly  at  me.    She  paked  her  hand  across  her  fore- 
head, as  If  to  clear  away  Wyist,  and  then  said,  in  a  low 
dreamy  tone :.  i  \  * 

1* !  1*1:  ^^-  S^^^o*"^'  I  *»ave\a  request  to  make  of  you.' 
What  IS  it  ?•  I  asked,  sca^ely  able  to  speak. 

"'Hasten  to  my  dear  friend\Mrs.  Brantwell,  and  tell 
her  what  has  happened  ;  but,  teller  not  to  be  sorry  for  ~ 
me,  for  it  is  better  as  it  is.    Gu>^Iam  tired;  take  me" 

''She  said  all  this  in  a  strange,  weary  tone,  like  one 
that  ,s  bewildered.  I  saw  them  help  her  into  a  coach, 
saw  It  dnven  away  ;  and  then  I  went  to  the  hotel,  feeling 
--well  It  s  no  use  to'ing  now  to  tell  you  how  I  felt 
Long  before  daylight  this  morning,  I  started  to  come 
here— and  that  w  all." 


ft- 


%i 


,.  i  -    ».  ,-^* 


■  ii  III  liJMMMh^— I ■Wilfe'ji 


S'm^^ 


7 


THJS  fBAWKRVTT  BEAST. 


CHAPtEiR  XXXI. 

V^,  .  TB»  BAIrtE'UD'FT    HEART. 

^'  ■■■>         ,     ■    ■■       -:  ...    ^■■.  •  .        ■ 

"       ^     "  Oh,  break,  break,  break  !  poor  banltruft,  twreak  at  ow»,    ' 
To  prtson,  soul  I    Ne'er  hope  for  liberty  r    Shakbsfea&k. 
'  \  *     ^      .     ♦•  Evieiy  lenM 

Had  bien  unstrung  by  pangs  intent. 
And  eaiih  frail  fiber  of  her  brain 
J^s  bow-strings  when  rdcaaed  by  rata, 
.  The  %riag  airows  launch  aside— 
Sent  forth  her  thoughts  all  wild  aod  Vride. 

'  — BvROir. 

THERE  ^M  a  loH^  pause.    Then  Mi^.  Brantwell 
raised  her  head,  and  asked. 
"  Wt^en  do  you  return  to  West'port  ?" 
"I  cannot  go  before  to-morrow  ;  my  horse  is  unfit  for 

tk#  journey." 

'*Theh  I  will  aecompaiiy  yott." 

.    ^-     **  Bftt  my  dear  madam- — \ 

C      '     "  Mr.  Stafford,  not  a  word.    I  will  go  I" 

She  spoke  in  a  tone  there  was  no  disobeying ;  so  Staf- 
ford was  forced  to  assent ;  and  soon  after  Mrs.  Brantwell 
J(^t  the  room  and  sought- her  own  apartment.    The  light 
^       breakfast    ttext   morning    was  tmiouched  by  either  of 
\     tliem  ;  apd^as  soon  at  it  was  over,  Mrs.  Brantwell  hastily 
\  threw  on  her  bonnet  and  shawl,  andenlwed  the  carriage 
'  \ihat  stood  waiting  to  convey  her  to  Westport. 
'     \    Some  time  before  evening  they  reached  the  town— 
n^v<' so  crowded  with  strangers  that  it  would  have  been 


iraiii^i 


ible  to  have  secured  lodgings,  had  not  Captaio 
>bffll  given  up  his  rooms  to  the  use  of  Mrs.  Brant-, 


well  ilrhile  she  should  remain. 

f  ^IfrNutterly  exhausted  In  hmr  present  weak  sute  to 


,'*«.•' 


iS- 


'Hf- 


lanr  mammmvft  mbist. 


visit  the  pri«Mi  thttC  taighl,  Mm.  Bnmv^l  iaittodiately 
retired  to  her  rocmi|  4n4  def ircd  tin  waiter  to  scad  Cao* 
tain  CatnpbeU  to  ber^         v    ^   *  ^^ 

She  sca^^y  reeognitt^  Um,  so  altwrvd  had  be  becoB« 
in  thosefew  dajrsj  the  old  hopiE^fttl  iodic  was  gtkne,  and  ift 
its  plaice  the  darkest^  gloomiest  despair. 

The  meeUtig  was  a  veiy  sad  aad  very  silent  one.  Atn: 
Brantwell  presMd  the  ha*d  he  Uxteacled  with  dcjepest 
pity  and  warmest  ^«|p«*thy^^  but  said  «otfaili|;.  .  ii«» 
silence  was  more  elo<|«o»t  than  words.    Ath^t*- 

"  When  did  you  see  Sibyl  ?"  she  aslted. 

"  Not  «iflce  the  day  of  ^m  trial,-  tmHixsmtnO;  tkood. 
ily.     '  .      '         \^       ".  A  '     ^    •.     ;'-.      ■". 

"  No  !"  she  exclaimipd,  in  surpriee^    How  Is  that  3^' 

"  She  would  not  see  oie ;  she  #oqld  mot  see  any  one. 
I  attended  her  to  the«edl,  and  thewehebademe  go-W 
would  be  alone  ;  she  insisted  on  it;  she  would  not  fcVWi 
see'Mr.  BrantweH,  I  left  her,  a«l  ^^^««t  tbsne^  day,  and . 
the  next,  and  the  next,  feut  still  the  sine  answer  was 
returned  ;  she  would  see  no  o»6.;  Fitwn  the  moment  sh« 
left  the  court-hope  she  had  theowtf  faenielf  vpoti  her  bed, 
and  she  would  sot  touch  tbe  Ifood  they  offered  her;  «h<>, ,.' 
would  not  speak  one  word,^Bly  i«peadng  that  per«w' 
tory  demand  to  be  aloae.  ^,    T^^- 

"  My  jpossi  poor  Sibyl  i    And  Mr.  I>rBmmo^.^h( 

IS  he?"  .       -?  .    ;    ^^  r 

'*I  kaow  «ot.  Whtta  he  beaard  the  sentence  <rf  W 
court,  he  8p*apg  on  his  horse  and  dashed  away  lik^ 
madman.,  May  Heaven's  heaviest  veogcaitoe  light  ^ 
bm  and  that  black-hearted  traitor,  Cowtaey  I  for  fa^ween 
Ihem  th^  h»Bl  fefought  iter  to  this^f^  And  C4|i)tairt 
Umpbeirsia«e«rew  absolutely  UviA  nrJth  ihs  mam  vt^ 


if. 


*.s». 


i  ■ 


-'. 


.^..i. 


^'#itl*"^V 


^iA  J  4^jl>^L^^ 


'-M#i^ 


/ 


'TEffi 


r 


■4 


■M 


m 


TEE  BaSKRXTPT  BEAMT*)^ 


"My  dearest  boy,  hush!  We  must\ forgive  our  ene- 
mies, you  know,  if  we  expect  to  be  |oirgiven. 

"  Forgive  th6m  !  Yes  I  if  I  ever  meet  them,  I'll  send 
them  to  another  world,  with  a  bullet  throiWh  their  brains. 
in  search  of  forgiveness  !"  he  fiercely  repli 

"  Oh,  Guy  !  do  not  say  such  dreadful  things  !    You  do 
not  tnean  it,  I  know  ;  bi|t  it  is  wrong, nevertheless." 
:    He  only  replied  with  a  smile — but  such  a\smile  !   Mrs. 
BrantWell  turned  away  with  a  shQdder. 

"  To-morrow  I  will  visit  the  prison.  I  feel  sure  Sibyl 
will  receive  me."  * 

-    "I  hope  so ;  but  there  is  no  telling.    Yoii  can  make 
the  eflEort  nevertheless." 
1      "You  will  accompany  me?" 

;.  **  Oh,  certainly.  And  as  you  look  fatigued  now,  I 
will  leave  you  to  seek  the  necessary  repose.  Good- 
night" ^ 

He  was  gone  with  the  same  dark,  rigid  look  on  his 
face,  that  made  Mrs.  Brantffrell's  heart  ache  ;  and  she 
sought  her  couch  with  a  mind  deeply  disturbed  by  the 
thought  of  to-morrow's  interview. 

^    Next  day,  immediately  after  her  slender  breakfast, 
'Captain  Campbell  made  his  appearance  in  her  room.    As 
\the  prison  was  but  a  short  distance  from  the  hotel,  ihey 
were  to  walk  ;  and  drawing  her  t^rm  within  his  own,  Cap- 
tain Campbell  set  out. 
<    The  streets  were  already  crowded  with  people,  drawn 
hither  by  the  news  of  the  great  trial,  and  deterthined  to 
wait  now  to  see  the  execution. 

Groups  were  assembled  on  eVfcry  corner,  discussing  in 
•  i/     low  tones  the  expected  event,  and  the  murder.    Every,^ 
>      %e  was  bent  on  Captain  Campbell  as  he  passed  ;,  some 
knowing  bin\  to  be  the  brother  of  the  condemned  ;  others; 


lijil'%^^V..v 


/ 


THB   BAIPKBUPT  HEART. 


m 


supposing  him  to  be  her  false  lover,  and  the  elderly  lady 
on  his  arm,  her  niotheil  These  insolent  stares  were  n,et 
by  such  fixed,  fierce  glances  on  the  part  of  the  young 
man,  that  every  eye  fell,  and  every  one  shrank  back  to  iet 
him  pass.  . 

They  reached  the  prison.and"  were  admitted  by  the 
warden,  who  glanced  at  Captain  Campbell  in  the  deepest 
distress.  ^.  T 

"  We  wish  to  be  adniiited  to  my  sister's  cell,  Mr 
Dent,"  said  Captain  Campbell. 

"  Yes,  sir  ;  but  if  you  please,  sir -  "  / 

"There—there!  I  know  what  you  tvould  say" 
impatiently  interrupted  the  young  man.  "  But  my  sister 
will  receive  this  lady.     Lead  on,  sir." 

With  a  deep  sigh  of  copipassion,  the  old  man  obeyed  • 
and  they  followed  him  through  a  long,  gloomy  hali;  until 
they  reached  a  door,  before  which  the  warden  paused. 

Fumbling  among  a  large  bunch  of  keys,  he  produced 
one  which  unlocked  the  door;  arid  stepping  bapk,  he 
flung  the  door  open  and  signfed  to  them  to  pass  in.       *  '  * 

They  did  so.  and  paused  on  the  threshold.  For  the^e  • 
before  them  was  a  sight  that  struck  them  dumb  •  that 
sent  the  life-blood  curdling  in  horror  to  their  heartjt  \ 
^  Crouching  in  a  corner,  and  glaring  upon  them  with 
her  wild,  vacant  black  eyes;  evqry  traccj  of  color  faded 
from  her  hps.  leaving  even  the  beautiful  lips  blije  and; ' 
hvid  ;  her  long  hair  streaming  wildly  dov^n  her  back;  her 
hands  held  out  before  her,  as  if  to^eep  ^6m  pflf,  she  sat. 
VVell  might  they  stare,  whil^  the  very  life-blood  froze  ia 
their  hearts.  <••      ^  ' 

Sibyl  Campbell,  the  1)ride  of  a  momeit-alone  in  h^^ 


pnson-cen=1iaffg6nel)^r 


jo«^ 


"¥♦1 


""•'^^':«#^^^4^T"  ' 


A 


Momut  6f&iai 


CHAPTER  XXXtt. 

ANOTHEK  STORM  WITHIN  AND  WITHOUT. 

-,      ^  ■;  ■         '  ■'*' 

;     .  — "  Let  Ib^  fare. 

Am  .prophesy  ten*thous|^,  thousand  horrors  ; 
I  could  join  with  her  novJL'  itod  bid  them  come ; 
Tkejr  fit  the  pltfenl  fnry  wbfay  soul. 
The  stings  of  love  and  rafl[e/Are  fixed  within. 
And  drive  me  on  to  0»do<^"-'RowB. 


LOATHINO  the  stinligfat,  ImtHig  himself,  frantic, 
toiiuidiisiied,  Willak-d  Drammond  fled  from  the  court- 
house, with  the  tlbrirific  wolrds  of  the  judge  searing 
fcis  IliAintjbliilriiiilg  tiis  briiilt,  sc^ii)g  his  memory,  ringing 
ift  Uli  Hiik,  VlktW6  list  Awful  tfiimp  of  thfe  mighty  arch- 

WMUMr  li^i»^^jwh^t  becsiine  of  him,  he  cafed  not, 
mew  Hiol.  Dr^r^g  hS^  span  info  his  holrse's  flanks,  until 
the  muddeii^  foetf^t  fairly  fle^  tiVtt  the  ground,  he  fled 
^f  tthdl  tib,  ttbd  i^f  UrMi hekrt  on  firie,  his  head  in  a  whir) 
-t*^i^li%  *A  iit&am  i^yirytti  bf  Ikitat  Wet]^  crashing 
Uiroui^bft  ;  Icnbi^i^  fbeHb^  ^n^obs  of  bbt  one  thing, 
All  3Jil|^  ^<*  ebM^bibed  tb  idle.    '  / 

ri^^MitV*^-^^^^^  ^^^  fibH;  ^  was  the 
^bbl^lllit  WbHb)«iA  hi^  ^ul  lb  anguish  1^^  despair. 
All  hU  IMsMb^.  bU  fekllilsiielhfab(!^\bll  bis  dtk^i^city  were 
^^IHI  jtb  bi^  bbW  ;  and  Jtyfbg,  ^e  Ift^ld  ibbthe,  hate, 
ii^  iiiphli  ^iii.  Hb  ^bld  b&Ve  bbl^sbd  hiibself ;  he 
conld-  hare  cursed  earth,  and  heaven,  and  ail  biankind 

1^0^A^  o!f  afebtiy,  ibmorse, 
' 'lb  nfi  wbVi        ' '' 


de^Mur,  and  anguish  were 
'Aiid  oA,  still  on,  he  fit 


utfbe^4ing  the  pasting  hours 


i     ,'.,-5. 


WW^T 


-sHifece«,«  whither  h«  wc^  ««tn  his  ^athamted  and 
'panting ^lorse  leM  helpl«,  beneath  him. 

Thar  ^as  the  first  thwg  t<»at  brought  him  to  bis 
senses.  He  sprang  oflf  the  back  of  the  loatn-covered  aiid 
tremblKig  aaimal,  and  cojecioiw  that  l.i,;headlong  «peed 
and  frenzied  4«ofc*j«„^xcitc  distrust  a«d  auspicia!,,  be 

strqy^tocalm  h|mi^f,»Bd  leadlii8  4«,rse  to  the  nearest ' 
inn.      \^     v^ 

He  lifi;rhtVh«id  to  look  ibo«t  Mm,  and  found  he 
had  nearly  reached  N^^     Assisting  his  horse  to  rise  he 
kd  h»m  slowly  toward  an  »l.pret^«di«g  liule  farm-hous^ 
that  chanced  to  be  near,  aodRnoiked  loudly  at  the  deon^ 
\The  suimnons  was  *«w«^red ^ a  boy,  who  ^tai^  at 
WiWar4  with*  took  «f  Waair  aisniay. 

*^Ihave riddea my hofse until,  as  you  perceive,  he  is 

unal^«ojweed  any  farther.  .€«i  i^  ^^oBkn  here  for 

the  Bight  ?-.he  asked,  abruptly.  \ 

,      The  sound  of  his  voice  brought  «  man  to  the  dodt 

smoking  a  short,  black  ^ipe.  y 

««riiat||,krhe4*Bbed.      V  ;    ' 

"This 'ere  inan  wants  to  know, -Uliis  boss  can  ^st«r 
here  t«,wgbt,  and 4»*^k  care  of,"%^«i„ed  the  la«; 

Sariai^  soBtin,"  J«^^^4^  ^^  heaitily,;  "^aMi 

you,  too,  ^,  if  you'll  io«or  us  wUh  your  coipa,.*, 
Johnny,  lake^tJiegentlemaii's  boss  off  »o4he.bara.  W»i 
in,  sir--w«Mc  la*;  )«>u4ook  <Kttit«  4»  Msr  used  up  your- 
self  as  your  ,b«i8t  does.  W^lk  in.  sad  ait  doim  *^  . 
^  Acceptiiig  Wa  hospitiOUy  wlk  #  teiaf  spiid.  Wilbiii 
followed  him  iuco  a  Ja«g«.  clew4dokUg^^  XLt 
woman  Mt*nitting,«j^d  tw<»^rtaaat  a«Sng. 

The  fe»i»l<g  pprtion  of  the        " 


\ 


i»iUiacb^     Waiiid  r«in^«d  ItJi^^^  itfahig  .nrf 


•■ife 


X 


<., 


■«'/*:- 


^,  :■.:■■.  ^- 


■y^-p,*^^  4 


i«tf 


TOTHBB    BTOBM 


[/ 


rbrob^ng  brow,  and\shook  b^ck  his  long,  dark,  cluster- 
ing Itijqks,  wliile  the  Wrls  glanced  at  him  askance,  with 
looks  \of  mingled  ddliiiration  .and  fear  at  his  wild  and 
excitedi  appearance.     \  '  j 

.    "  C0(me  from  the  fown,  I  reckon  ?"*said  his  host,  draw-j, 
ing  a  cK^ir  opposite  Wilkrd's  and  resuming  his  pipe. 

A  brief  "  yes,"  was  Ms  sole  reply. 

"  Gr6at  doings  going  o^n  there,  I  hear  ;"lots  of  people 
<<;rowdiii^  to  it  every  day 

Anothpr  "  yes,'^  brief  an\i  cold,  was  his  answer. 

"  Great  talk,  too,  about  \this  trial.    You've  healrd  tell 
of  it  in  coi^rse  ? '  \  % 

Stilt  another  "  jres,"  briefl^r,  sterner,  ancl  colder  than 
before,  was-Willard's  answer;\but  his  talkative  host  was 

not  abashed. 

"  Very  sad  affair,  I  must  saj^"  he  went  on,  shaking  his 
head ;  "  and  very  strange  all  \through.  It's  wonderful 
how  wimmin  will  do  things  When  they's  iJt  a  passion. 
They  say  this  Miss  Campbell  wcut  over  jest  a  purpose  to 
kill  this  other  gal,  and  chucked\  her  body  into  the  sea 
_jj1i«n  she  was  done." 

^^ere  he  waited  for  a  re^ly,  l^ut  received  none ;  for 
WillWd,  with  his  face  shaded  by  his  hafed  and  his  falling 
Jiair.Wag  thinking,  with  a  bursting  heart,  of  Sibyl,  and 
heftrdVot  a  w^rd  the  garrulous  old  itn'an  said. 
fc'iC^  ■"  "  Ml^is  Miss  Campbell's  beau— what  she  was  going  to 
'  be  marlied  to  when  she  got  took  up4-must  be  a^  precious 
Villain.  I  They  say  he  was  married  to  the  other  ybung  gal 
on' th^  lly,  and  nobody  ever  knowed  nothing  about  it. 
I'd  like  To  get  njiy  hands  ott^him,  an^  give  him  a  good 


|5iF¥Mpping— 1    votFT^^^$  r?^""™*"^^**^*^ 
wouldn'tlhurt  him  a  mite  morn'n  her !" 

^.«  At'W^^^  df  hi*  £eeling^,the  Worthy  man  again 


iS*!  ^i&"Jii 


1,''.    s 


1:^ 


p,":fT4^>;;;-,'77^j^- 


^TEOiir  Aim    WITEOUT. 


i 


mnnHV"*"-  !!  ''P!^  '*^*'  "*'"*   "^'  '   ^'  ^ilWd   Drum- 

2:^ZZ^''  ^^"  ''"^^  '^^"«^-  -7  ^-<^  -  2^ 

.h*"  mV*'^'"*^!!''^^'^'  ^™^<^  &oi°&  to  toWn,"  resumed 
tb§  old  inao,  Ihoiighif uUy,  as  a  light  wagon, ^filled  with 
people    rattled  past;  Hut  it  ain't  no  drcumstancl  to 

Tnd  ni  .^^T"'^''""^-  J'^^  go  to  see  that  myself; 
and  IJl  take  the  o/d  woman  and  the  girls,  too.  I've 
been  promising  theiA  a  treat  this  long  time.    S'pose  you'll 

somer:r '"  '**  '''^''  '*^^"°'"^  '-  ^  an  aosw'er  by 
some  means. 

'  But  still    his  strange  guest  maintained  his  moody 

itT  ""l^  u*""  °^^  "^"  8*^«  "i»  '^^  *=«<>«  •«  despair! 
and  turned  the  tide  of  his  eloquence  upoft  "  Johnny,"  who 
entered  at  this  moment,  in  numberless  inqiiiries  concern- 
ing the  state  of  the  "gentleman's  hoss."  The  girls 
looked  at  each  other  and  giggled,  and  the  old  woman 
peered  at  W.llard  suspiciously  over  he>  spectacles. 

A  surom/>ns  to  supper  Was  the  first  thing  that  aroused 

h.m  irom  hisjeverie;  but,  with  a  head  giddy,  a  braio 

hrobbing  witl?  tumultuous  thoughts,  the  very  sight  of 

ood  was    loathsome  to  him.     Rising  to  his  f4  and 

l^^f""-       *^'®^*^3^  o'^  tQ  his  strange  dimness, 

"Asyou  kiidly  invited  me  to  remain  all  night,  may  I 
ask  to  be  shown  to  my  room  ?  I  do  not  feel  qui  i  welk 
and  I  believe  I  will  retire."  .  ^^      ;.  «  ^cti, 

Ihe  old  woman  gave  her  husbaiid  aiming  rfanc« 
that  revealed  plainer  than  words  the  danger  of  l^vinir 


Vl 


-.#*-. 


•i 


K\ 


T— STB" 


:S 


'jsmf^t"^'-,,. 


the  tdMe*  Mnt «'  vHtvta  fttiybddy  can  eat  vrlfen  «he^  ain't 
well.    Do  sit  down,  sir,  and  take  a  little  tti&ck." 
.;**lf«t  «Hy,  Itliiflik  yoi^"  flKld  iWillaVd,  faintly,  as  his 
ymAMm  gye#«K]Mfiit«fnHe.    «I  Wi«h  to  retiipi;  imxnedi- 

Ittie^."  •  '       ^' 

>«lHirtfcylW«,*h«rtl1"  said  tte  old  mate,  lidding,  in  a 
19fkin<«  ^UlU^t  **K}t*B,  ytm*^  hat*  to  '^iVit  tour  room 
^  CO  the  iE«tttM(il*ft.    thIJi  nw^,  "afr,  M  ^od  plijasc." 

WUiVrd  idHMiM  *»»  h«»|rttl*lc  guide  tip  a  flight  of 
rickety  stairs,  into  a  small  and  scantily  furnished  little 
4MMl4«(^,  lkttf|r  <rmmd  with  feminitfie  articles  of  apparel, 

'  ■  *l  iKi^  ybull  *h*p  weli  t*r,"lBttid  Ms  htfs^  as  he 
]MMef«9  Wtt  ift.  "tt%  A  ^or  |>liiee  ^^9f  the  like  of  you, 
%M  k%^e  bett  1»<e'Veig0K.'' 

«ft's  -irll  t  (J<^d  li^tlshi"  airfd  WHterd,  WW>  couldn't 
have  t«lld  ft*  thelfffe  M*H»,  #h<iftli<?r  it  was  Sumptuously 
^rtifi^  <yr  dthttrt^^tWfr.  Aftd  theft  ^*i*T«»ttg  Wis  host  a 
J^bdH-ftigtht^  %h«%*(r  Mttrtelf  dn  the  bed,  a^d  strove  to 
toi%<et  In  IrtlSep  'rtie:  dWW,  ItetcVJr  tfchWg  of  hSs  head  and 

>hl^rh 

"A%eer'«Mip,iaiii  1"  «ia  the^ld  toaft,  as  he  sjowiy 

plodded  his  way  dowi^  stairs.  "  Looks  as  if  he  had  seen 
^mtblt  lltt«ay.  yffm,  this  WtM  is  full  ttt  ti-onWc ;  noth- 
h(^  )|i^  i^dtiWe  idr  rtch  aiid  ipoor  alike,  and  always  will 
be  %o  tl^e  end,  I  do  believe."  And  with  lihis  hbpeful  and 
W»"NW^^VMr»f*he#ortd  it  genew*,  i*  opened  the 
tli^1|nll'^m%^tl€%i«Mhof1ffofKffflry^  ^ 

••W^,  tt0K'J^«!««»»*^^  spoose,  in  a 

w  "ot  wlrmWOBS^naEn  'sweeincsa, 


ponders  II*  your  harboriug  every  highway  mail  teHl  *ulky 
«^MMiiii  y^  «8«|i^  til|tl»  IMiAiiilt  «lrtfttt,  ill  Wk  way. 


r.  ■ 


:n--:. 


wiimir  Aim  >^m^out. 


^hroo^  cot  in  cold 
irklooking,  silent 
but  he's  a  rubber, 


How  «h>  fom  Imow  we  won't, 
blood  afore  morning,  With  t.. 
manip  the  house  ?  How  do 
or  ^fithin'  ?" 

♦'  I  doft't  btelieve  he's  a  r&bbor.'*  said  Jouathii,  tfuietly, 
sitting  down  at  the  table;/' he  don't  look  like  th?£ 
Seems  ^ore  like  ms  if  h^  had  some  heavy  trouble  or  other 
a-Weighing  on  his  mind.  Any  wi^,  you  wouldn't  havjfc  me 
turn  away  a  tired  critter  from  the  door,  i#ild  y«i.  old 
wonim?"  r^        7. 

~ .  "  W«fU,  a  he  Waan^  So  suspicious-looking,"  grumbled 
the  old  woman  ;  but,  for  to  go  and  sit  there  atl^  the  even- 
mgy^nd  never  «peak  tone  word,  is  a  ietfU  to  fiiuch. " 

"People  don't  talk  wheh  they  are  in  trouble,  I  te)l 
you  r  retoned  her  ^ouse.  «  And  now  1  think  on't,  pbr- 
hap^heysome  fdend  or  other  of  «fast  |»dor  yoM|^irl 
that  s  going  to  be  hung.  I'm  sure,  if  he  is,  it's ^e^pT  to 
make  him  silent    Fill  my  cup,  Susan." 

f  He's,  real  good-looking,  anyway,"  remarked  <»ue«l 
|he/gi'rl3>  <'  witii  the  loveliest  of  black  ^es.** 

I" And  th^  sw<ietest curlio^ hair !"  said theoth^. 

"And  the  whitest  teeih-^did  you  notice  T  added  tl^ 
fir^t.  ,     ' 

I  "N6 ;  bat  I  «aw  his  4iat)ds;  they  ftws  whke  ^^  ' 
lady's  !"  chimed  In  the  ilecond. 

*'  I  don't  believe  he's  a  bad  man,  either ;  be  don't  look 
lilce  hi"  said  the  first.      ^      -  , 

I    "I  declare  to  iOM^t  ifMigr^n't  .gobe  and  fellla 
l^e  with  him  I"  exclaimed  Johnny,  with  a  <;huckle 
'l^^'t  otftther  r^#id  '-8»iy,''  tti^ily^  wHb  9Men- 
;ohc*lk!i^.  ;■ ..:  ■   <„  J"     '■.,■:■:•':'"'  ,.;       ■,■■■'  ,  ■  • 

"  Well,  ^^t«i^^t<»il|(«c  ^^rreUog  idboiit  bkm  I"  bnim 


1     x^   ^  — 


7f 


t>^t^::^^il 


• '  J^. 


5«. 


8M 


JJfOTEES    STORM 


going  away  to-morrcw 


in    the    mother.      "  The  ^man's 
morning  ;  that's  one  blessing  !" 

But  neither  that  morrow,  nor  the  next,  nor  tlie  next 
did  Willard  Drummond  go;  for  when  morning  came, 
they  found  him  tossing  in  the  delirium  of  a  fever.  In 
dire  alarm,  a  doctor  was  sent  for,  who  said  he  was  ill 
from  over-excitement  qf  some  kind,  and  was  threatened 
with  brain  fever  ;  but  that  with  proper  care  it  might  be 
warded  off. 

Querulous  as  the  good  lady  pt  the  house  might  seem 
outwardly,  at  heart  she  was  kind  and  motherly ;  and  all 
her  sympathies  were  aroused  for  the  sick  young  stranger. 
She  listened  in  wonder  and  pity  to  his  wiW  ravings,  from 
which  shexould  easily  gather  that  he  was  in  some  way 
connected  with  the  dire  event  Ihat  was  occupying  every 
tongue — how,  she  could  not  tell.  That  he  was  of  a  sta- 
tion far  superior  to  their  own,  they  also  could  ^e  ;  and 
with  the  most  tQnder  and  uncdksing  care  they  v^-atched 
over  him  night  and. day. 

But  with  all  their  If  in  d  nursing,  three  weeks^^Iapscd 
before  he  was  able  to  leave  his  bed,  and  another  passed 
before  he  was  strong  eAough  to  walk  about. 

Of  Sibyl  and  the  rest  he  had  heard  nothing  during  all 
this  time.  All  exciting  topics  they  had  been  forbidden 
by  the  doctor  to  speak  of  before  him  ;  and  that,  as  the  une 
exciting  theme  of  every  tongue,  in  particular.  In  fact 
had  they  been  ijirilling,  they  had  very  'little|.  to  tell,  fqr 
they  t^  few  visitors  from  the  outer  world  t^  their  quiet 
little  cottage.  «ii*  .  • 

OAe  evening,  as  still  Weak  and  languid,  he  sat' by  the 
window,  watching  the  sun  sink  j^ed  and  fiery  behind  a 
dense  black  cloudy  and  thinking  bitterly  how,  by  the 


a 


impeUious  violence  of  his  own  headstrong  passions,  his 


,  .'!.'' 


^ 


'-,-;%» 


*  •^'"'•\^^'f:'l:l%i 


'•I* 


! 


ui   ^       j^<^  K^t,A^    xA*»u  j-^ii 


-mi^ssms: 


■-•TB     *; 


WiTBm  Aim    WITSOUT.  iii 

own  life  had  been  similarly  cloude^  the  lad  Johnny  came 
}n,  with  wide-opened  eyes  and  mouih,  all  aglow  with 
some  v/onderful  news.  °  ' 

c.  "  ^w!'./°^°.°'''  ^°^*  ""^^^  '^  '^^"  ^'^  ^"s  father,  who 
5at,^as  WiUard  had  first  seen  him,  serenely  smoking  his 

"Oh,  father!  IVe  just  seen  old  Toller,  from' West- 
port,    said  the  boy,  excitedly. 

lathl^^^^'  ^''^'  "^^^'^  *^^  °^^^  ^""""^  there?"  inquired  his 
Willard,  too,  looked  around  with  a  start.  - 
"  Wliy,  he  says  people  are  crowding  to  it  now,  from 

everyplace;  that  every  house  is  full  of  people  come  to 

see  the  woman  hung."  . 

Wiilai'd  DrtfihlSind's  face  grew  livid,  and  his  brain 
reeled  at  the  words,    ^ 

"He  says  she  was  raving  crazy  for  ^hiie,  and  that 
delayed  it  so  long  ;  but  the  doctor's  brought  her  to,  and 
now  the  execution's  going  to  take  place  day  after  to- 
morrow.  •  ''  . 

lat^'yinl'^'Tl^T  ^'""""^ '^"'^'^  WiUard  came  too    -^ 
late.     Wuhihe  look  of  ^  madman,  he  rushed  from  the 

house.     4  horse,  the  boy  had  been  hiding,  stood  saddled 
at  the  gate.     He  sprang  on  his  back,  and  striking  him  a 
,  fonous  blow,  dashed  off  under  the  first  moment's  fien:e 
^Sr;:^;;^  '-'  ^lone  befor.unheedin^uncari«,^_ 

dea  filled  heart  and  brain-that  of  escaping,  of  flying 
far  away,  of  never  again  beholding  the  scene  o    so  many 


!  I 


Night 


was  at  hand,  bearing  iq  itp  daf jc,  lowering'  fact ' '. 
the  storm  that   all   .lay    had    been    threatening    A^ 


ik.. 


*r\'J 


'  t'tk- 


«5. 


■k 


^fftrJEBOt    8WSM 


rfssiire  stillniBSs,  ft  iMMiailEig  hcwt  61tiBd  tbe  ijilr,  and 
the  NoM  trees  ci^k«d,  rgrosmed^  ftn<d  tosM4  th^ir  ^ng, 
weirdXarms  with  a  dreary  moaning  seise,  «s  thcnigfh  in 
pain.  iA  hot,  gusty  wind  iifted  <«t  inteiiirals  the  4ieavy, 
daric  haiX<:yff  'his  Imriiiiig  brow,  but  WtUMJiiC  CooHtig  it. 
It  rustled  the  dry  leaves  till  they  whirled  in  a  shower 
-around  kioi ;  but  ke  heeded  it  not ;  he  wonkl  hardly  have 
heeded  the  wildest  hurricane  fa  that  tncffinteni. 

He  had  reached  th^  forest,  and  now  M%  tiourse  becom  • 
ing  from  necessity  less  rapid,  he  could  look  around  h\m 
and  note  the  changre  of  weather.  By  the  last  Nckly  ligJit 
t>f  the  dyit^jH:  day^  he  saw  a  tempest  was  -at  4iand,  and  he 
hailed  H  with  a  sort  of  ntad  iexuHa;tioii,  to  think  that 
nature,  convulsed  by  the  storm,  woul^  be  go  much  more 
ia  onisoa  with  the  storm  rs^a^ing  wi^n  his  e^^i  breast. 

He  gave  the  frowning  face  of  the  sky  "biA  one  momen- 
tary glance,  lor  another  and  fat  inore  'terrible  sight  was 
ever  before  his  agonized  eyes--^lt  was  the  form,  thte  beau- 
tiful form  of  his  Wv>rshiped  Sibyl,  swinging  between 
heaven  and  earth,  convulsed  in  the  agony  of  that  horrible 
death  >;  exposeito  f he  gaase,  to  the  sho«ft!6«nd  derision  uf 
thi;  mob  ;  her  htvely  face  dair*k«ned  atid  donvulsed  until 
death  would  mercifully  put  an  end  to  "her  t^orcures. 

The  a#ful  vision  ^iseemed  driving  him  mad.  With 
something  like  the  Shriek  o*f  a  maftiao,  he^trucik  the  ani- 
mal he  bestrode  a  lurteus  blow  te  ^rive  Mm  on.  The 
horse  bounded  madly  <)n  for  a  few  bacoii:;  but  at  that 
Bioment  a  vivid  sheet  Of  -ligbtiffing  ^luaeed  'aoross  their 
pach,  a))d  he  suddenly  stopped,  ^rearAl  himsetf  almost 
Upright,  tand  with  a  snopt  'of  fear  tuimed Vaod  fled.  Fiii^t 
from,  recent  illness,  Willard  lost  his  seat,\aad  was 'hurled, 
«rotud«ditiid  bk0Wiliii|r,  lo  tbe««iiJh.' 
"^W    '•    '••••     ■  .  ''■'  '  " 


!^i^iiM*A=^  o*C 


fl.*/^^-^ 


<t^     yH 


■%  *        w       yi 


A, 

WVmiN    mm    WITHOUT. 


And  now,  atone»  wounded,  and  helpless  in  the  vast  oil 
woods,  the  storm  was  upon  him  in  its  might 

It  is  said  that,  in  the  moment  that  eiapsdl  before  sotne 
sudden  and  terrible  death,  all  the  events  of  our  lives  pass 
with  the  rapidity  of  I ightningr  through  our  minds.  So 
was  It  now  with  WillaH!  t)rnmmond.  As  he  lay  pros- 
trate,  bleeding,  and  helpless,  all  the  great  wroligs  he  had 
done,  all  he  had  made  other*  suffer,  rose  before  l^im  with 
a  bitterness  exceeding  that  vf  death.  Through  him  • 
Chnstie  was  murdered;  through* him  Sibyl  #as  now  to 
die  a  felon  s  ignominious  death. 

The   storm  was   each    moment  increasing;    and   it 
howled,  and  shrieked,  and  tore  through   the  trees,  as 
though  It    had    risen   in  vetigeance  against  him.      He 
thought  of  that  WA^r  night  of  storm  and  tempest,  on  wHich 
his  oving,  much-wronged  child-wife  *iad  perished  by  the 
steel  erf  the  assassin.     He  thought  of  Silgrl,  ^lone  and 
doomed,  waiting  for  death  in  her  prison^ciB.     And  then 
with  startling  suddenness,  flashed  across  his  mind  x\m 
strange  vision  that,  years  before,  ffe  had  seen  and  scoffed 
at,  m  a  far  off  land.     One  by  one,  thr^  visions  had  been 
realized  ;  and  now  only  one— the  death  on  the  scaffold-, 
was  to  come.  a^ 

The.  night ;  the  storm  ;  the  forest ;  the  wounded  man/ 
all  were  here  ;  and  now  was  death  to  come,  and  end  all 
tli^s  mortal  strife,  and  close  forever  the  d-ark^irama  of  his 

While  thei^e  thoughts  were  yet  passing  thro.fe:.  his 
mind,  a  sound  smote  his  ear  that  startled  him  from  the' 
deadly  stupor  into  which  he  was  fast  falling."  ft  was  tfb 
crash  of  storm,  this ;  no  sound  of  .vind  and  rain  amon*    " 

^AX^l:      t  ^^g  -"^^^Qt  Imm,n  .ffiotfteps   Hy<na 
wildly  ikitm^y^  atom    ife  «mv**tti  ««*;  hi^^S 

-,     -S-- '-    -  -^   '^'^ 


'Vi^j 


m 


iWHfS^ 


■^J^ 


&<- 


8M 


THS   DEAD   ALIVE. 


\ 


and  cry  out  ;  but  his  vofce  was  lost  in  tlie  wild  uproar 
around  :  and  he  was  abo6t  to  fall  back  in  despair,  when 
the  fuj^tiyc  from  the  storm  struck  against  him,  and  fell 
pvfer  him  on  tlie  ground.     .  i# 

The  shock  of  the  sudden  concussion  nearly  stunned 
Wiilard  ;  but  the  person  who  had  fallen,  uttering  a  sharp 
ejaculjidion,  Was  up  again  in  an  instant,  bending  over 
him.  •  "  ,  /  '  ,      ' 

By  the  light  of  the  rapid  flashes  of  lightning,  he 
beheld  a  woman  with  dark,  flowing  hair,  and  wild,  maniaq 
.  eyes— the  same  startling  vision  he  had  twice  befbre  seen 
in  Campbell's  Isle, 

fWlth  a  shriek  that  pierced  high  above  the  litorm,  she 
prang  up,  and  sped  awdy  through  the  woods  with  the 
speed  of  an  arrow  shot  from  a  bow. 

The  unexpected  sight  of  this  unearthly-looking  visit- 
ant was  toci  much  for  nature,  in  luis  present  exhausted 
state,  to  bear  ;  and  falling  heavily  back,  the  dark  night  of 
insensibility  closed  around  him.. 


x^ 


CHAPTER  XXXIII. 

.       THE   DEAD   ALIVE. 

—"Am  I  already  mad  ? 
And  does  delirium  utter  such  sweet  .. 
Into  a  dreamer's  ear?" — Lady  of  Lyc 


Ids 


I 


N>  the  little  forest  cottage,  the  eveuiiig  preceding  that 
night  of  storm,  Christie  stood  i^the  humble  door- 
'  way,  watching  the  §irn  go  dovw 
Those  weary  months  have  sf^ly  changed  our  little 


favorite.    The  thin,  wan  face,^ 


grown  thinner  am 


w^ 


^^    *M-(\  ^     I       J 


^%  ~ti*S^   t*«^ 


^i^kiiditSLiA>*>^ti.n,-  t 


wanner  than  ever ;  the  angel  brow  paler  and  more  trans, 
parent;  the  dark,  loving  blue  eyes  darker,  larger,  and 
wearing  ever  a  look  of  deep,  gentle.  «ncha'ngin|  melan 
cloly;  the  fair,  golden  hair  fails  like  threads  of  raveled 
Wuir'^  her  Pearly,pheek  ;  the  light  step  is  slow  and- 
languid.;  and  the  hectic  crimson  spot  tiiat  each  afternoon 
burns  on  those  usually  colorless  cheeks,  bespeaks  the 
ravages  of   that  fell  destroyer-consumption.^    Slowly 
but  surely  sh^.s  passing  away,  bending  her  meek  head 
to  the  stroke  of  the  destroyer,  and  only  sighing  for  the 
irne  when  her^weary  head  may  find  rest  at  last  in  some 
httle  woodland  gmve.    Little  Christie  will  never  live  to 
sefe  the  midsummer  rose  blow. 

^J^"^  !k''"J^''  ^''"'^°'  ^*"^'  '^«  '^^"*^«  «f  ti^is  as  she 

Shf  ?.ni        ,  r*T';^"  '"^'  ^^^y  "^y  °^  'he  red  sun- 
light  faljing.  hke  a  shadow  of  the  glory  tfcat  awaits  her 

on  her  bent  head.     With  those  dark,  radiant,  starry  eyes 
fixed  on  the  fa.t-coming  clouds,  her  mind  strays' back  tl 
hat  night  of  deepen  woe-^a|Iast  night  spent  in  he? 
island  home     The  coming  of  every  storm  recalls  it.  bjt 
nevbr  so  vividly  as  it  doesto-night^t  All  the  pld  tide  U 
her  deep,  unchanging  love  for  WiUai^^r  her  destroyer 
-so    strong  and   fervent. ,  that  time^Ssence.  andJhe 
be  lef  in  h.s  guiU  has  no  power  to  change  it-swells^ 
to  her  heart,  crowned  With  blissful  memories  of  the  time 
when   she  first/ knew  and   loved^iim.  until  a„  ahZ 
passionate  longing  to  be  with  hiin  once  more,  to  throw    \ '^^ 
her  arms  around  his  ne^fc,  to  seal  her  forgiveness  on  his* 
••ps.  to  feel  h.s  heart  swelling  and  throbbing  against  her 
mvn  once  more,  to  gaze  into  those  dark  eyes  again  and 
heave  her  last  expiring  si^h  on  that  loved  breast, 'to^  ^^ 
^s^  hen    Then  came  the  Mtter  recollection  thal- 
^HenltxU  another  must  be  his  bride,  and  she  couldi 

_  .    -  i.  vi~  * _•     _   -^L  _      J-  ,     _.    ^ 


..', 


tief  iMk  death  nidne  ^|Nil  ^^'^'^M^r 

iKjiBoni  ^se  iand  fell  #ith  c66- 

t|^  «tep»  i;iwih«4^0^  dried 

fid^9  Id^ed  up,tdri%lidld  the 

«l«K^bea.    ;        '    \^     ' 

1^  is  m^ievii^  agaim  /  Th^  Wilt  aem  do,  little 

i^itite,'' iitr.8(dLd(  sorroii^fttlly^.;    .'  ^<, 

rc!^tt^  |ielp  k  !    It  «Al  iXHnes  bsUDk  «ot|rakigiel7 
said  Chc'istiiB,  lb  a  voice  full  of  uuskeo^  tears. 
doeS»jlittk>  otie  ?*'  ;. 

Oh,  the  past,  th^  past !  tfae  sad,  beai^lftit  p^ik" 
"Xbeejimust  forget  the  past,  daugttter,  aiid  live  in  the 
T%  pJfcsent,  Bftid  for  the  futui^"  said  Oncte  Reubfeft,  laying 
his  hand  ^n  ber,l)ea)4° '  ."^hqe  kmows  w^t  the  good  book 
SUITS  :  '  Blessedi  are  tt^  that  mourn  fbr  they  shall  be 
©omforted;'."    ,        ,  »     '„ 

**  Yes,  yes,  I  know  ;  that  promise  fnts  dPtei«y|)t»tained 
ine  in  ray  darkest  hours.    Dear  Uncle  R^aben,  I  know  I 
am  wicked 'to  tnurtnur,  but  b^r  with  me  ft  little  while 
,tintil  Igo  where  the  promise  will  be  fulfiUcid." 

"Oh,  thee  is  sad,  to-night,  Chri^e,"  said  Uncle  Reu- 


ben, forcings  smite,  "thee  nrnst  be  cheerful,  t 
Where  is  Bertha  ?" 

'*  She  went  ^itjnore  thqa  ton  hdur  ttg'<^'* 
tie;  "  to  ramb|||M'  tli«  woods,  accor 
habit.    I  hop^aKHHll  retqirn  befoire  the 
y    ,.  "  Thfi  stprmwiil  be  pfti  us  in  liatf  an 
'  Rgnben*  looking  ttneasi^iy  M  the  dairkene 
tli^  knows,  a  stortn  always  roi|ses,  Beitha  '\ 
wihtoeas  bordering  on  ifne^zy,  andl8ea(|i^lier 


nows. 


4ai' 


'-«u , 


A*''; 


^' 


% 


•A. 


na  BiiAs  Aun. 


« 


»     ■  ■         '«» 

—I  **l**  !*  ""  "*'  t'""''  Reuben  r  mid  fhri..- 
often  we„.ft  search  „,  J, ZZ,  Z^lt"'    7"" 

her  ■■  «,id  0„le  H.,.Z,  Tl        '  '  *'"  K°  «»'Nook  for 
and  han^oMlle  k^l^'  "  "^  ''"^«'  '^  •«'«"»  «« 

blaS:  a'^^'gi^r^rlh.""'    *'^''*«*  ""    '"^   ««* 
.1«  maniac  BSTa  dme  „ot      °^°"  '™*'*'*  '^P'""'  "« 

«.  .ro:b.:!"  "  "^"^  '"  "  «"  '"  "«  «-W".ed.  In  deep-     ' 

.icZiJifXT'"  •°°°  "'""••  '  '"°"  ^"^  -"' ••  »a  Chri,- 

But  stiU  tbg-iwM^nta  kto*^ 

bu.,oned  i.  on,  «^' U.^Z\,tZ?'  "'tT^  '^^^ 
j*ut  Jiwt  at  that  iuiaif  j,  „«»  bura  violM,l„ 
"« tl«  woman  Bcnha,  wl.h  iir^^Hil^^l  "^ 
garnieots,  tor  wild,  blacic  evesEfiT    -.k         ''"PP'"g 
panting  before  H.^         ^     T      ^^  '^  «•■«»' Stood 

"0li.BertlM;,aif.h„.,4' 


.,.— «,~| 


'^V. 


s\, ' 


V» 


TBS  DEAD    ALIVS. 


"  Hush  I  he  is  there  !"  said  the  maniac,  in  a  terrified 
whisper.  " They  killed  him  and  left  him  in  the  forest; 
but  I  found  him  !    Come,  come,  come!" 

She  caught  Reuben  by  the  hand,  and  attempted  to 
draw  him  with  her  from  the  house.  y 

"  Who  is  killed  ?  Tdoh't  know  what  thee  means,  Ber- 
tha," he  said,  perplexed. 

"Gome,  I  tell  vou-»-he  is  there!"  she  cried,  with  an 
impatient  stamp  of  her  fpot,  "out  among  the  trees  where 
they  left  him.     ComrT  - 

■  And,  with  the  grasp  of  steel,  she  caught  the  surprised 
Reuben  by  the -arm,  and  forcibly  drew  him  with  her  from 
t|ie  house.      i^ 

\  Left  alo^ef  Christie,  somewhat  amazed  at  first,  soon 
f(|rgot  the  cifCttflistance,  and  gazing  into  the  e||^iring 
cials,  listened  to  the  wild  ravings  of  the  storm,  as  it 
raged  through  the  forest,  with  that  lulling  sense  of  secur- 
ity one  falls  into  when  comfortably  housed..  There  were 
sti^nge  i^ictures  in  the  red,  dying  embers,  to  her  that 
»nij^ht— faces  Jost  to  her  forever  peering  out  in  fitful 
^i^e— now  Willard's;  now  the  dark,  threatening  one  of 
handsome  Sibyl  &mpbell,  now  the  brisk,  sharp,  cheery 
countenance  of  Mrs.  Tom,  all  fading,  one  after  another, 
to  give  place  once  n)ore  to  Willard's,  best  loved  of  ^11: 

The  night  was  wearing  pn  apace— the  1/ast  glowing 
ember  had  faded  away  in  darkness  •  and,'rousing  herself 
from  her  dreamy  reverie,  as  an  unusually  violent  gust^f 
wind  shook  the  doors  and  windows,  Christie  raised  her 
head,  pondering  uneasily  what  could  have  detained 
Uncle  Reuben. 

^  Just  \as  she  was  beginning  to  get  seriously  anxious, 
the  dooi\  was    impetuously  thrown    open,  and    Bertha 


•atered,  fdllo wed  by  Uncle  Reubcb;  bearinsflh^ish 


K    * 


&      «     /  iiTfatiL. 


-^x^ 


^^^^ 


"^. 


im   BJSAD    ALIVS. 


"  S;  r"  J  H^«r°tf  '™™  °"'' '°  """her,  ■„  .error 

a.  Bent •=  "L^:'  'C/r  ,°'  '""kT"'  ^"^  -'  '"""^ 
les8  OD  the  grouBd  "  ^'"^  '""*"8  add  smse- 

undistinguiahable.  ^  '   ""'  ''*'^'^««  »"=% 

-wh:i!a''j'beL''.°hr:iT^  "l"'  T'  *™'«>".  '  '-gine. 

sponge  „„,n ,  „„,h  .hetiroffTs'f^::^.™  "^'"^-^ » 

against  theT,n       /       *'th  a  sudden  Ihrill  she  leaned 

Wiped  .he  bl^d  off  h?  pale  rnd"""";  '"  '""''  *■"» 
cina,ed.  Christie's  eyes  were  fixed     "'.  "^^  " '"'• 

fcamres,  every  one  Ifv^h^^^iTv'^:"''  '  "'"•  "S'" 
lier  heiirt  •  her  eve.  Hi.  .         '"",  °<'e'''>'y  'Sprinted  on 

0"siyas,ho„gl,^PS^'bre",''^.«.''"'i«g  "'  tumult- 
i«  way  to  him  T^^fl  f  '"■"■'"  P"'°"  ""^  '<•«« 
i.-.«eiacr;ThaJm^3e^,'^"'f'  '^"""ed  through  th. 
terrnr  .r   ^."""  "'*''=  even  the  maniac  Bertha  sMrt  in 

^r^v^nXTT'"'''"'^  the  cold,:™ : 


\ . 


\  ■: 


•^,\ 
^ 


*• 


Iransfixed  with  amaaement,  Reuben  stood  gazing 
^-her,  unable  to  speak,  while,  with  a  hysterical  IjiTijgh, 
fcovered  the  cold,  marble-like  face  with  hot,  burning, 

sionate  kisses,  still  crying  out  at  intervjils  that  loved 

dame. 

♦«W^lard!  Willard!  Willard!"         .  ,  ,^ 

>    « So'^hee  knows  him,  Christie?"  said  Uncje  Reuben, 
as  last,  |n  a  vpice  of  intense  Jkislonishment. 

She  looked   up,  with  another  hysterical  laug|§*and 
then  Qwrtaxed  nature  gave  way  to  a  burst  of  blessed, 
,  soothtn^tears; 
T  «  Well,  l^am  surprised  !"  slowly  said  Uncle  Reuben. 

.♦♦  Oh,  Unqle  Reuben,  he  is  my  husband  !"  said  Christie, 
in  a  voice  choked  with 'if|hement  sobs.       ^\  ''^ 

M  TAy  husband r  *laid^]lJncle  Roi^n;  irt  a  tone  that 

plainly  besp^te  hisr|«^r:s  that«Chri§tie^ad  lost  her  reason. 

♦♦Oh  !  y^|tes,l|§*ii^usband!  my  long-lost  Imsband! 

whom  I  ne^vwr  expected  to  meet  again  On  this^«ide  of  the 

.    grave.    9h,lJ«|^  Reuben,  y^^u  dic|  noL^now  I  was  mar- 

^^  ried,  but  so  uis  I     I  neve^%ieant  t<mell  you,  but  the 

surprise— tlie    shock^-iorced^J^Mgi  ,  tne.  «l®h,  pticXi 

Reuben,  do  not  look  asJf  )^||TO>&«ght  me  inside ;  for 

\^..  Indeed,  indeed,  tspeak|Bktruth."  iAhd  igain  Christie's 

,  ^   j^o^ce  was  h»8Uh  sob$,li^Re|owed  her  head  on  the  cold 

^  i^nsast  before  he4  and  ^ught  how  wafmly  Snd  tumuUu. 

^Quslyi^  had  <>nce  throbbed  for  her. 

Uncle  Reuben  .was  not  one  to  give  way  long  to  any 
^  •motion  ;  so^  with  a  look  of  intense  surprise  and  perplex- 
ity, he  recalled  his  scattered  faculties,  and  once  more 
.  ikpproaching  the  })€d,  said,  slowly  :■' 
\        ♦*  Well,  if  h€^V>  thy  husband,  thee  is  anxious,  no  doubt, 
'  ifer^lti»rie9»etr>tt^<>«td  better  g<>  Way  f<y  the  present, 


tmdi  1<^  me  attonS  tiorKm  and  brtnijliisris?*" 


ri 


"i^*^ 
#^>^ 


."ph- Uncle  Reuben,  db  yon  think  be  is  dead  FW 
Caimie,  ,n  .tone  of  piercing  as^mrf..  """^  ^  ^^ 

By  no  means,  littI<^one  -  m  u  ^ni    t    . 

now  we-.,tr, rr'rLnt  ^r^ar .s 

'»''<»li»»e  "hudder  «  jli.  bare  idea  «ritifed  .h- 
<IenM|b>ra  of  Christie ;  .nd  Ac  UftL^  ^u         * 

,r.d,  all  n^  yirt.  blood,  from  hi.  h«d.     ^     *"  •"" 
And  tbit^  while  Uncle  Reuben  iat  Jowb  to  h..!,-  k- 

«»inx^  ftf  If  she  could  never  remov«  th«.»  -,  v  I 

t  at  cow,  irhit^  liandsome^'::^,  *^  ^^^^J 
;,  though  iipnrovable  in  death,  looking  whiter  rtiiurl  J 
trast  with  the  wet  black  hair  ""^  '''»*'*'  «'"'  »•»<»«? 

too^^Lirf?!  ^*1r   inarriages  never  come  to  any  • 
fr  1^      »^*^**  ^•"'^°»  "  he- shook  his  head  and 
tZ  ot  T^"^^  ''"  '^"^  "^'^  been  .taa'Sfng  « 


r  \«i 


fm  DBJOf  ALJ7M, 


iiqd  ctiiiority  from  <m«  tacm  t©  lh«  otb«f.    "  lf<^T»*t  W  her 
fat©  had  been  thine  fV  i 

**It  bas  fcarlcly  been  moie  happy,"  laid  Christie, 
tfttfaout  Itfttfig  her  fye»  J  **b»t  'h»  »"n»e«f  »<>  «««  *»»"' 
once  more,  to  tjbticb  hit  hand,  to  know  1  am  near  him 
again,  almost  nfpays  me  for  all  I  have  sufiered.  Now,  at 
least;  I  cap  die  happy,  aince  I  have  the  opportunhy  of 
telliiig  hli  1  far^ive'him  all." 

•^IForglye  btm  !    then  be  baa  wronged  thee  ?^ 
>^*»HuthV  said  Christie,  ttirniog,  if  possible,  paler  than 
„ifore.     "He  loved  me  once,  and  I  wish  to  forget  ever y- 
tliing  but  thflt.    But,  Uncle  Reobeii,  arc  you  sun  he  wil I 
kt^>vetl    1  see  no  aigna  o£  It  yet,'*  said  Christie,  in  rising 

«lari». ':t  ■■■ .  :,■'■  -  -  »:■•■■■  '''^ '  '*^;'  /  *' ' :'  ' '' ^' ■ '; 

"I  do;  even  «6W  conirfoosness  la  returning,"  said 
UncJe  Reuben,  aa  a  alight  movement  d  tl|«  wnscles  of 
4be  face  became  peiceptible. 

"  Willard!  Willard  'dearest  Willard,  look  up  !"  she 
iBid„  bending  Wxiously  over  hint   '    '  ;i?    ^ 

Wae  It  the^tartling  JKipttd  Of  that  well-remembered 
Yoiec^tbat  voice  he  imagined  forever  stilled  in  death— 
that  awoke  him?  The  large  dark  eyea  slowly  opened, 
wandered  wildly  arojudraiid  lh».firet  object 'on  which 
they  reate4  wwi  Cbristiib^ 


.\ 


'    V 


'-  '    f'    'r   *-'^}    , 


?'..  bi'a,    ^'ii.  , 


u 


_     CHAj^R  xxxrv. 

BULAMATIOMI, 

Joanna  Bailu^, 


vfc* 


'ILLAJRDrWilUudiWrilardr 

with  the  sma^  falr7ac^  etfc tep  ^bCte.' a„T  "^""  ^ 
goldea  hair  of  Christie  Uedin^  over  Lm  Win  1,T*"« 
mondlay  scarcely  daringT  brZ^^^  un!I/    ,    ^'""''^ 
gazing^ith  wild.  wooderrnrinc«Su?n.^^      '**  'P~*' 
angel-facc  he.had  never  el^tS.J!!f^  ^^  "P«"  '^« 

you  know  me  I  onlv  sneak  tr^L  ^^^^^"^  •'    Only  sajr 

was  the  wiia  cryXtffl  i"l"^     "^?  »»*'-*  '  ^'^  I' . 
never.to.be-fo,^^n;^!^t         "  "'  "  '^^  '""^^  ^      , 

"  Am  I  mad  r  he  said;  y*^  a^,  .„  »  j,- 
see  Christie  again  in  the  w^tmZ  ^      ^^  "'^ 

"  Willa^d  1  Willard !  we  bo^ite .  Ok  Willa.^  .h     v 
Heaven  you  were  sna«.rf  ♦».         .,    *  7°*  **"«*^.'<hjjiil|. 

Willard  11  am  not  di^  i  do  not.d»  m^  i     t  ** 

wildly  r  ■  :  ^^  *    *  J»^^  «^  toojc  «  me  to- 

';Cai^this  tai  only  the  deliriiw  of  ^  di»ii»  V*^fc-  E^ 
passing  his  haad  ovet  hia  briiw T  i^  a.  '*•  •*^*'» 

bewildered  way  '    ^*  **  -^^  "^^  troubltd  and 


rA^ 


^N%ji^^»^»atg^  a  digm 


:. /^ 


K  «o  phantom  oCthcimigi^^ 


sc.if^'a 


st'.-'. 


f: 


I'U^ 


m 


Jt3SP£ANln(Mm. 


fUipn  ever  could  have  clasped  him  with  such  yearning, 
clingiog  arms ;  ever  could  have  held  his  head  on  suph  a 
warm,,  throbbing  breast ;  ever  could  have  looked  into  his 
jface  with  such  passionate,  undying  love ;  even^ould  have 
'  powered  upon  him  such  passionat<:  caressesr 

He^^woke  to  the  reality  at  last.    Springing  up  in  bed 

where^he  lay,  he  gazed'upon  her  as 'If  doubting  the  evi- 

deince  of  his  senses,     i  '  ,  *,  , 

^ ;:      «  Oh,  Wlilard  !    Qh,  my  husband !    I  am  not  dea^  ;  I 

*-'was  only  wounded  !     I  live  still  to  say  I  forgive  ycrt*  afl 

tiiat  is  past  l" 

**  Qrtat  Heaven !.  am  I  sane  or^mad  ?'*  he  said,  in  a  lo^, 
*'  deep,  wandering  voice. 

'*        She  approached,  caught  both  his  liancis  in  hers,, and 
knieeling  down  before  him,  said :       /' 

"  Willard,  look  at  xnc !  feel  my  han^s  !  my  fkce  I  Lis 
ten  to  my '  words  !  see'me ''feneeling^before  you!  and 
-believ^  litm  your  owi>  faithful,  loving jjjhristie  still!" 
~  *• /lien  j^<f  may  be  saved'^fetT' wa«  his  wild  cry,  as 
unhejedtng  the  slender  girl  kneeling  at  his  feeti  he  spranng 
fromthe  bed,  with  the  one  thought  oi  Sibyl  ev^er,  ever 
.  uppermosit  in  his  mind.  r-  *    ^      -      >?i 

" J/'M  Willard.^" "    .       '     •     .       , \,       /     '     ',._, 
"  Sibyl  i  Sibyl  t  my  wronged  Sibyl !"  „^  ,4  "•  ^,, '  ^ 
^.     At  the  words,  at  the  name,  her  blissful  dream  i^aded 
ifcWiay.   'The  past,  the' dreary,  wretched  p^st.can^p  b^ck, 
and  Christifi's  head  di-tfppeU  heavily  on  the  bed. 
\       He'was  scarcely  in  his  right,sen«es  jet*  M^  t*»c  action, 
ind,  above  all,  the  necessity  of^aste  r^Hore^i,hj4.  to 
himself  ;  and  stunned,  iiewiidered,  giddy  xs^t.tt'nw^    emo- 
tions,^ he  sank  into  a  chatr  and  strove  \]^^Ail<ect  bis 
thoughts.. 

*M  know  not ^ft  Whether  I  aoi  •i^e^gii^ijf^m^iiUigtl 


,-;<t-; 


^=^ 


=idb 


.V* 


W^ 


W1*3 


:.r^ 


I* 'I 


,'  BXPl^ATlONB^ 

^  sai(^  IncqherenUy;    -Christie^wh<?re  are  yau  ?    Come 

bcre .  let  me  see  yqu  again,  that  I  may  know  whether  ail 

^  this  ,s  not  a  vision  of  a  disoij^ered  brain,  that  wJiUacW 

away  as  many  a  similar  one  hal  done."  "^»*^«a« 

.        She  arose,  and  with  ^  face  aspcrfcctly  colorless  as  a 
^•snow.wreath,  stood  before  him.  .     '    *  > 

.   He^took  iier  hand,  so  small,  and  ^art,,wid  transwr. - 
cnt  twt  it  looked  like  an  infant's  ;  and  pushing  backC 
full  gold<^  hair  off  the  fine  white  brow,  gazed  long  and 
earnestly  int6  the  depths  pf  the  lai^fc  blue  eyes.  nL  lo ' 
unspeakably  sad.  so  deeply  reproachful.     So  lo,ig  did-  he  . 
£^t^  C^istie'^yes  f^ll  at  last,  and  the  goid^  lasbe^ 
%wept  her  c^ek,  while  tlie  eloquent  blotfd  mantled  for  a 
sQipraent  toiler  snqwjl!:  brdW. 

y«^  this  lis  Chfestie-alive  still,  ^nd  yet  ?o  loiDir 
rned  for  as  dead,"  he  said  sloWly.  rHTbil  is  strand 
^  IS  wonderful.  Christie,  how  comes  thfci  to  paTs? 
?  How  IS  It  that,  after  so  many  months  givctt  up  foiT d^d  k 
,     fifld  you  alive  still  in  this  forest  cottag«ii  - 

ful  night  ?   she  said,  m  a  tone  of  unutterable  sorrow  |iid 

"That  dreadful  night?     W^a/^readfiiJ  nigHt/Chri*.' 
.  tier'  Ji^sayJ,  looking  bewildered.  '     ' ^    '      ^ 

mm,  WiUaflSl,  what  a  quftstion  for  you  to  ask  »    That 

JmJi^h*''*  ""  Hea^Wrs  me,  I  iS*  n^;^lfet  you 
..'-meaitJ^Do  you  allude  to.that  tempestudfeis  "night  on - 
wWchyou  w^r<i>upposed  to  ^ mu^dere^^ 

ir^J^!^^''  ■****'    ^*^"  Mew  fdb!    Oh.  H^li. 
■«^Wth«tii>irtotieofajKJdeli«proach^  , 


m 


(1.1 


i^V* 


■  #" ,."  ■ 


pY%4^''*J'Tfi0'^ 


ill'' 


MtPLMMd^MOL 


.j,if. 


"Christie,  there  is  :x>aie  mtsunderstaadiiig^  here.  Dc 
|ou  me»«  to  say  that  /  was' with  fou  that  night  ?"  he  said, 
vehemefitiy.  >  i    . 

She  did  not  reply,  hut  her  eyes  answered  the  qaestion. 

*' Qiristie,  as  there  is  a  Beavea  above  us»  I  never  ^et 
foot  on  the  island  from  tibe  day  we  parted  there  after 
your  telling  me  of  your  interview  with  Sihyl  V  said  Wil- 
lard,  ioipetuouslyv'       ' 
•;     «  And  the  note  ?"  she  said,  fiuntiy.  • 

*'Doyou  mean  the  note  appointing  onr  meeting"  on 
ibt  heach  that  night  of  mystery  ?"  he  a^ecL 

"Ob,  yes,  yes!" 

'*  Christie^  I  seat  that  noCe^ibut  I  never  went— wnrr/ 
I  swear  H  by  all  th^  is  sacred !  That  very  hoor  I^ 
received  news  that  my  father  was  dying,  wiuch  obitged 
me  to  start  instantly  for  home,  without  even  an  oppor- 
tunity of  apprising  you.  Cbrmie,  that  aiglit  I  spent  ifty 
miles  away  from  the  isiaad.-'  /. 

She  gasped  for  breath,  grew  desdiy  psde,  and  sank 
uitoa  chair. 

-"  Christie,  Christ  I  do  yo«  not  believe  mef 

She  lifted  her  eyes.    There  was  truth  in  his  face  ;  and, 
^  with  the  wild  flash  of  sudden  joy,  die  cried  oui  : 

"I  do !  I  do  I  I  doi  Oh,  WilXard,  thank  Heaven 
lor  thisl  Thank  Heaven  that  you  never  ratsjbd  your 
hand  against  my  life  !^'  •,  •'  . 

"Christie!"  - 

'*  Oh,  I  do  not  wonder  at  yo«n'  lo^  of  horror ;  but,  all 
^tiiose.  weary  months,  I  thought  so.  Ofa,  WiUard,  dearest, 
can  you  ever  foigivc  me  for  wronging  yon  ao  ?"" 

-^'Christie rV'r-—  .-.  ■  -  '  l  -"-  ^r-  -:-:---■--  -  --- 


^J 


, "  -^> . 


W^'M 


\^ 


./ 


BXPLANATIOMA 


me  I    But  6n  tliat  ni<rht  that  awful  night,  I  was  met  oo^^^ 


s^iS 


the  beach  and  stabb<pd  by  a  man." 

"  Heavens  and  earth  \    And  jrou  thought  k  was  I  ? 

"  Willard,  VVillard,  forgive  me  I    But  oh  !  what  else 
coiiM  I  \hink}     K?»  appointed  the  meeting.     I  wcntj  wa?' 
met  there  by  a  tall  man,  stabbed  by  him,  and  left  foi^ 
dead  on  the  shore,"  *.  " 

"  And  yott  could  believe  /could  do  such  a  deed  f  Oh^ 
Chrisiie,  Christie!"  itesaid,  vyith  bitter  rcproaclx. 

'^Oh,  how  could  I  4ielp  it?  llow  couid  l^Mj^  it? 
The  thought  was  maddeuing :  but  how  coiOd  I  tbil^| 
otherwise  ?    Say,  only  say,  you  forgive  me,'  Wiiiard  !"  ' 

"  I  forgure  you,  Christie  ;  but  you  10^-  X|r  the  most 
to  forgive.  What  stc^nge,  fathomiess  myster|  all  this  H} 
Wiio  was  the  man^  Christie  ?"  I  ■  M 

'  I  do  not  know !  i  Jiavc  no  idea  i  Qh,  i  ihaugMt  I 
had  not  an  eo^y  in  ilifc  wild  world."  ..  > 

"r^tMsrciio.clew?  Is  there  no  mcan^i^ir  which  fou 
could  rpcoguiiehith  agjiin?"  J        f» 

"  None !  none  1  you  forget  Mie'istorm  j  the  darkness  ; 
the  deep  darkness  of  tliat  night."         -      ^    ;        C 

'^True!  feut  heavens*  what   am   I  thlokiag  ofV*  4i«, 
said,  starting  up  wildly.     "Why do  1  linger  an  jnstant 
Ijere.  when  it   is  in  mf  power  to' save  Sibyl  j^irai  the 
ignomiriiou?  death  of  ihe  halter.*^ 
^'^VVhat  1" 

As.  if  A  mine  had  cxpltwied  benea*&  her,' Christie 
sprang  up,  with  bianshed  face,  starting^  ej'c^  cle|iche<| 
hands,  and  liyid  lips,  gazinjr  upoi^  hiia  in  fipeocl^sf 
.horror;     ,    -^i-h^.-i..-:-.--^:     ,-  :^^-^-. ..,-.* -..-...,.... ;.;..:.-.,.::,..,"  , 

"Christie,  she  was  arresti^,   trtedt,'  coademnted,  and 


•Sjr/ 


■  7-        * 


-.iBtt^r^r'iz" 


,.._<>..,. 


^ 


^r 


;«« 


\p.T 


/ 


.  **FGr  mine  !  Father  ia  heavp^  'gasped  the  almost 
fainting  Christie.**   ,      ^ 

**Il  may  not  be  too  late' to  sa(ve  her  yet.  You  mast 
come  with  me,  Christie.  JS^sten'!  hasten!  Every 
nionient  is  precious  now." 

"  Oh,  this  is  awful !  awful  \l  Oh,  Willar^  when  does 
this  most  unpatural  sentence  take  ptbce  V*     '  , 

"  The  day  after  to-niorf  ow.  /  With  all  our  speed  we  will 
be  barely  able  to  reach  the  sp^t  in  time."       :  / 

.  **  Most  hoirrible  !"  said  Christie,  with  a  °  Convuji^ve 
shudder.  ^^UHow  can^  she  ^er  to  be  suspected  o^ucli  a 
dccd?"'."-^  /  ^     .-'-■■   > 

t^^Oh,  there  liras  a  damning  chain  of  circumstantial 
evidehce,  stro;ng  enough  t^eonvict  an  aligel  f rom  alJoVe. 
I  have  no  time  to  tfll  yw  now ;  on^od^rWay  I  will  tell 
you  all^-  Merciful  Heaven  f  if  w«  should  be  too  late." 

"I  will  go  instantlyl  Ll  willbe  ready  in  a  moment," 
•Mid  Christie,  wildly|«sp  she    hurriedly^  threw .  on  hpf 

wrappings.  -'S-    i      "' ° 

^  But  not  in  this  stbrm,  Christie.  Does  th«p  not  hear 
how  4t  rages?"  anxiou«y  .saidUucle  Reuben,  who  all  this 
time  had  been 'a  silent  J  wondering  list'eacr,^  "Thee  must 
not  venture  out/tb-ni^t."  f"^  ,  ^.^ 

"^'^  Oh,  I  must !  I  must !  thfc-  Ufe  of  a  >felk>?fv-circat4re 
depends  up^bfi  it,"  said  Christie,  tyhag  on,  her^arge  mantle 
with  trembling  haste.]  ..  .;:,,.,*1.,^,.;;-  ,*  , '  •",,p-  ':  j'S^h^-'V- 
Willard  Dhi<nmo^d  piused^folr  a  'moment In  dismay,, 
to  listeh  to  the  storrrt  howljng  U«rough  the  ttpes,.-and 
glance  at  the  frai),  fragile  little  igpre  IJfefore  him. .  But 
the  thought  ef  J&tyl  in  peril— ^i  that  dreadful  death- 
Steeled  his  heart  a^inst  every  bthei^j  feeling.         M  y^ 

"ShiJ^  must  be  saved,  ^t  wha*  iVill  follow,"  he  men» 
'tally  exdaiinsli        ,'      "  ^        »^         - 


*  7  \  -  _ 


/  • 


/ 


/ 


.«»l 


^^;««lc  will  never  be  able  to  j4ke  thy  way  through 
this  storm,  Christie."  said  JReabenVrt«ilig  in  stfll  incre«|i 

.:ft6ganxifety; -in  thy  delicate  state  of  h^th.  too.    Listen     s 
to  the  wind  and  rain."  ^  \       '  J|  '»  -         ^ 

.      "Offn  hear  itf  l,^r  it ! '  B«it  th^ug^t  rZed  fii« 
fwm  fMaVen,  I  should  have  to  go."  ^     ^     T 

«  /.V''^!f  ,'T"V"r*'  '"''^'^*'  *^*"  "*S^*'  *^  tji^e  venture* 
•  out,    said  Un9le  Repben,  solemnly.  ' 

f      rWhat  matters  it?    My  life  i>  worth%,  so *er» ^n" 
saved,    she  said,  with  sbrrowlul^bltteraess.  ^ 

Willard  Drumm6nd's«h(Birt  smotk  him  ;  ^  some  oi 
the  old  Jove  revived  in  his  heart- thAt;  momeqt  for  poor 
Chpstie:  ...  ?.-:..,  j   ...  .  ,■.   v 

Christiey't^M  will  perish  ^ithfif^^      i 
Oh, no  ;  I-ll  not.    This  inward  strength  ^ll  susutiif 
me.    I  will  Uvc„l  iiiyst  live,, I  i^alf^li^^  to  sav¥  Sibyr 
Campbell,    t i eel  ^ ;  An  inward  voice  t^l^'  m^^  '* 

"  Then  thee  is  d^t^rmincd  to  j^or  sajfiff  ftnol*  R^ubei 
sorrowfully.  *      •         '■   ■.    " '        \  ."■    ■•':,;,, .,,^.,.^'. 

«'.WUl\tbeeevl^t:ome  back,  little  Ch^^tieV-^lhs^  said, 
holding  the  little  hand  she  jext^nded  iiji  bbih  hit. 

♦•As  Heaven  wills  I    I  fear  not,    But JCiiclfc  Rcube^'. 
^     --dear,  good,  irncle.R«u^n^  do  not,  y^  witt  <:6m6  . 

^ph:  direst  ChristieV'  I&Jiphest  yoice  c^k^a^ 

**  Goo^-by,  Bertha.    Kiss  ChrisUc  atUk  mork"       i  • 
She  put  her  arms  round  th<?ia^tt  of  the  mania;,  Wlsw^ 
»  ^es  were.fixed  wi|tfully  on  her  face.    "  G6iiir away f^^i 
.  Ja«  «»1d,  iQ  a  tone  tifi  Tag«le.iM?prise.     .^  ,       v^ 


■'f^. '' 


.   1-  ...    ■■* 


;.  "'-'m.'  W 


Vi 


^K^#\  t  ^^'-":5»fs 


^^S.:^. 


I* 


■^  **  VmtdtmMM  friefd  ;  and  if  I  aetp:  comie  tecii,  you, 
mfUitmot  iiuiiie  UM^gBt  me."   "  .^^ 

'  ^"Christie J  Cbristiej  ray  wife!  ny  iTij«i«d,lloag- 
iiuffering  wife,  do  not  talk  so  i  I  caaaot  bear  it !"  sadd 
WUlufd  DrumiiMMMl,  pawsioadiely  ;  fior  iMl^  ^rd  of  that 
sorrowful  parting  had  hcfia  like  a  dagjg^r  ^6  bis  heart 

Sktcamt  over  ii^M>  ^>c  <^  truatisg  i«ve  of  iiappier 
tinf^s,  when  that  love  int  filled  lier  lieart,«Did  clasping 
bcr  laands  am  ius  slMMdder,  she  dro|)|ped  lier  face  ^oa  his 
brea^,  and  softly  mannared : 

''Doanest  Wiliard  i  it  is  bttHcr  so.  I  am  aot  alnud  to 
•die  aW,  aiiier  vrJaat  I  iiave  beafd  to-nig^  And — do  not 
be  built,  dearest  love — but  I  have  no  wish  to  live.  You 
will  be  happy  with  har-'-^i^  Sibjft ;  a»d  I — I  wiW  pray 
ior  you  botb,  aad  love  yoH  bc^  4ti  heavem." 

"Oh,  Chfistie  1  ofe^  tny  wife  1"  be  cried, claspn^  her  in 
his  arma,  with  a  fjassioqaie  cry ;  "an  I  laolyto  idealize 
tlfe  tren^e  I  t»ire  lost  whea  it  Is  itoo  laie." 
*  ***  No^  too  late,  Wiliard  ;  if  it  will  help  to  oBiiJoe  you  a 
better,  a  liQiUer  laaa,  it  U  not  uto  late.-  IlieFe  are  many 
happy  days  for  you,  for  Sibyl,  for  me — yet  to  come." 
.  "  iUfpxxck,  wi«!ich»  tiiat  I  liavebeea  1"  he  groaaed,  in 
bitter  gridL^  **  Why  wm  Idooan^  to  bvu^  laisery  and 
ntanfh  oa  all  whb  ewer  Joyed  met'  "^ 

:"{%  WiUaral,  fattsh !  Y^u  bieok  my  lieart !"  said 
Christi<j,  liftixig  lier  golden  head  off  hi?  bkTeast  ."You 
fftust  aot  talk  ia  that  wiM  way.  Add  iweajre  lasi^  time 
staying  here,  when  every  second  is  more  previous  than 
untold  |<«H"  #P;ft^l<^MK,  £^itii^  uf».  *''Co«M^^illard, 
com.  ,  -^-      .   -  's    ^^      .     ,  -^ 

Wbiit  dhe  «¥)ok«;,  Uncle  Reubea,  «JK>  kad  pmmd  out 
unobservtNl,  reHenteradl   •    . 


\ 


3-r. 


V. 


1..i--1' 


wis 


'"  w'e  S?^g.^  """^  """  ''«*""  »-<•  C<»i 

_i  war  "  "°""  ^*"'*"-  '^  **>  »~^^    I  k-*" 

Mic  >lmt  d»«a«:e  i«  tius  pduag  storm  r'Zi  CuTc 
Reuben,  wuh  a  sad.  gm^e  ^iJe.    -  No  >  h  is^Tu^       l 

\ea«^  J^  V^*^  *r!,  *r*  ?  1=<«««y^ce?''  said  Wilhu< 
«W«riy.     '^  Thank  iWvca^for  tteit !    in  it  y^  ^^iT^  A 
least  be  sav^d  the  £atig«e  of  wallcing,  Cimoie  "         " 
;;  f  "^.,"^7  f**^  y«"  ^'^  Bertfaa,  Uacle  Reuben  r      • 
V    1  Will  tecJc  the  door.  a»d  Bertba  wili  go  ito  bed-HirtU 
thee  not,  Bertha  ?•'  ^«««»— w»u 

The  maniac  »«dded,  ;u»d  atiJl  wistfAlJy  watched  Chris. 
^.  a»  thawg^h  some  f^in*  i«ipr«sst««  that  she  was  «^ 
t^Jose  her  was  io^n^ju  way  th«>ugh  her  c^ 

For  the  first  time.  Wiliard  turned  his  «y^  «poD  het 

*  Who  is  she?"  hea«ked,  in  bi«»thicss  eirprise 

la  aiew  brief  wards,  Christie  gave  him  to  uhderstaad 

how  at  had  happened  he  had  seeo  W  on  the  i^^ 

f..f!f  ^'^  <iramufi  ^r  uxm  within  his,  Wiihird  Jed  hm 

fronj  the  honsc,  followed  by  Uncle  Reuben 

Christie  took  her  place  in  the  humble  littie  donlw-, 

car^  i»ad  cawered  dow«  to  avoid  the  fml^g  „au\      T^ 
m^mdbisu^gu  ia,  too,  tehiig  •w«M(84«»tt  .^w* 


..      y^*:r 


ma»£AJUTio»& 


frpm  loss  of  blopd,"  said  Uttcle  Reuben  to  Wil^rd.    **i 
will  walk  and  drive."  \  ' 

'if  •  *•  Not  at  all.  Do  you  ipagine  I  would  ride  wliile  you 
walked?.  I  am  not  so  weak  ;  I  feel  the  strength  of  ten 
men  withijD  me,  urging  me  on."         ^*^ 

"That  is  only  exciiement,  friend;  it  will  not  last 
Thee  had  better  get  in."  •        ' 

But  Wilfat-d  peredptorily  refused,  and  took  bis  place 
on  the  other  side  of  the  little  cart.  .,  i  -   ^ 

V  Seeing  it' was  in  vain  to  urge  him,  the  old  man  allowed 
the  animal  to  start.  And  Christie  raised  for  a  nroment 
.her  bowed  head>  to  cast  one  last,  sorrowful  glance  at 
the  little,  isolated,  forest  cottage  ^c^was'never  destined  to 
tee  again.  They  turned  an'Hibrupt  angle,^the  night  and 
darkness  shut  it  from  her  view,  and  with  a  long,  shiver- 
ing sigh,  she  bent  her  head  once  more  on  her  pale 
hands. 

The  ni{fht-ride  through  the  forest — with  the  j^^ 

^irailing  eerily  in  long,  lamentable  blasu  th?5ligh  the 
.waving  ariil6  of  the  trees;  with  the  rajn  driving  in  blnid-' 
ing  eusts  in  their  faces,  with  the  palt  of  an  almost  Egyptian 
i^rkpess  around,  above,  and  on  every  hand1  That  night- 
ride  \  sleeping  or  waking,  in '  af  terdays,  alone  or  in  4he 
gaye^  i»scmbly,  it  would  riseJil^  a  liiunting  Vision 
before  the  Ayes  of  WiUard  Drummond  ;  and  the  little, 
bowed,  shadowy  figure  crouching  silently  in  a'^Comer  of 
the  wagon,  would  awaken  in  his  heart  feelings  of  undy- 

»  ing  remorse.  That  night-*ride,  through  the  long,  lone- 
some woods  !  Ail  the  great  wrong  he  had  done  that  lit- 
tle, bowed  form,  from  uphose  ger^lie  lips  no  wofd  of 
leproacbever  fell,  from  whose  loving  eyes  <m aacwin^ 
^Iftnoe  ev.er  flashad,  arose  in  bitter^rray  before  hitt,  until 
lie  folt  M-if  be  cotild  never  encouBter  thegase  of  those 


3a»rtd     ^ 


'$ 


S^h.^^^S^i^J^M^k 


.-„sac?A 


'trlil^    ** 


Y 


X--, 


There  „«s  a  sharp,  teen  pang  piercing  tbroui  L  W 
for  one  n,„n.ent,  at  the  Ihouffht  ■  <»e  „  J,  T,  ^ 

where  ik  ™„re   genial  ^i^^lZlmri^ 

unkoowiV  There,  he  would  endeavor  tS  atJne  tw  hi. 
d«„,ed  care  and  a^ention.  for  all  he  had  eX^'ad^  fc J! 
suffer  and  forget  Sihyl.  But  that  name,,.  Cfw^i^ 
a  host    of  tender,  sorr«,tul  memories,  and' ^e^A* 

momeavhe  «.lized  what  DWine  retribuX^f"  f  r:"" 
And  8o  on-still  on,  through  the  ohfll,  bUl,:  jlrht  tKj, 


'■11 


,'i.a 


iii'^'t 


-##-''"  ^ 


k^ 


't- 


^^■ 


f. 


WilJ^r4  Dm«feinoDdL  with  his  hat  drawn  dcma  over  fefis 
brotlf^^Sk  omifflM  in  Uisrioali,  Wrodcioo,  with  bowed  head, 
t^P  absorbed  in  his' own  bitter  thoiJghtato  heed  the  flight 

<k  time.  X  , 

A©d  80  the  long,  siJeat  night  Hngered  and  iitigered» 
aod  the  dripping  forest-roaid  was  passed  at  last ;  and  they 
^•assedfltt:  interval^  g^lpoitiy-looking  farm-houses,  whose 
inmate^^re  still  asleep,  and  wlKJse  only  greetingL-ta^y* —^ 
weary«pi|lers  was  the  noisy  baricing  of  *heir  watch- 
do£^a|^HHf  passed  on. 

^  ^^KH^r  the  roelatkrholy  jouroey  was  continued  until 
TOorninl^whn,  XJold  and  gray,  lifted  its  dead,  dull  face 
from  the  mantle  of  night,  and, cast  a  ticlcly  gl«nM|ier  of 
light  along  ti*e  wet,  slippery  f)ath. 

,  iVMorning  at*  last,"  said  UncJe  Reubcrv^tifOng  his 
iwad,  with  a  deep  sigh  of  relief ,  "Tht«  has  been  the 
jl<Migc«t  niglit  I  have  ever  knowo."  -       y 

^  *^  Yes,  morning,"  «iid  Wiliard  DrufniBond,  looking  up 
bittprlj  at  the  dull,  leaden  sky ;  ^and  ^^  so  far  from 
Westpoit  yet ;  ^oly  -one  day  toore  between  bee  »n<l  an 
Ignominious  death." 

Uncle  l^e^ben  lodged  4Bt  him  «  ni©mc»t,|md  thwi  at 
4lie  bowed  form  in  the  cart,  mith  a  look.of  adm  ireproacb." 
.,     "  U  Uiee  $i«?d,  Christie  ?"  J»e  said,  ^approaching  'hm: 

She  lifted  her  bead,  dtsc»osi«ig- it  face  «p  white  an^i. 
Jbaggaxd,  s©  worn  with  lattgue,  si^plessrtess,  and  grief, 
that  even  Wiliard  started  hack  ijviorrow  and  alarm. 
/  *'  Ob,  little  Christie  1  I  ku^  this  jonmegr  would  Itili 
li>ee!"«aidUBcleRettbeo-;iwthagr<»n.    i^      r^  :Tr%- 
•    'fl  feel  a  little  t«««d^,ttet  i?  mtt,"  she  .<aid,  f^ng  a 
waci  stoile.  %  **  Deaf  friend,  do  sot  U<ik  ut  tte  irit|i  fucb 
.fs^gbenediaaxious^<eyeft;iti«iiod).ifig/'  '     / 


w*i 


rw; 


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^^port,  ^«.    0<«.  ,j«  „„.  ^  ^  ,> 

'•He  spealcf  truly,  detrew-An;  miist  stOD  «i-'tli«  te^ 
W^*^^  ..  .«^a  U  iaded  to  ^^  li  ^ 
"It  is  nothing,  Willard.     If  I  only  reach  WestDMt  i* 

and  get  well,  and  domt  with  me  to  Italy  to  farJff 
^r«i  Ita,^  wl«^ 

m  t*^  ^^iH^'  *»»^««i^'««y«  to  hl«4e,  With 
*  1^,  steady  g««s-the  calm,  fer-8eel«g  gajs*  JT*  ^ 

«w«m^l«yic««aid  Too  iaje !  too  lat«t"  Btrt  ^<.  /ijh 
«otjqx^k,*heo«tys«dled  faim*y,«,d  tL^ak  4^f 
r^cic,  wuh  h<^  head  shrouded  in  her  m^^S^. 

Wiew*Hiefewid«t,f  worniiig  WW  b<w  fast^ 
««ide  the  doMds  of  tmtht     As  S%«  «-«»       ^w  pusittng 
lererl .««  ^  *^  ^  "*5«t.    A8  tftf^  went  on  they  «ncoun- 
^^*^^^^^^  with  spades  r^  their  ^cnilde^ 

half  an  hglwr  Mi«y  reaclwd  i»  comfortebte4obki«g  U^  ^. 


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Scient<__ 
Corporation 


23  WEST  MAIN  STREET 

WEBSTER,  N.Y.  14580 

(716)  872-4503 


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house,  an^  flighted  at;^the  out#  gati6.  Wiilard  lifted 
Christie  out  in  his  arm!,  while  Uncle  Reuben,  with  his 
whip,  kept  off  the  dogs  that  rart  out,  barlcing'  loudly:  The 
noise  brought  the  farmer  himself  to  the  door,  who,  notic- 
ing the  drooping  form^of  Christie,  ai)d  the  pale,  worn 
face  of  bei|  companions,  cordially  invited  them  to  enter; 

Ther^  Was  a  bright,  cheerful  fire  blazing  on  the  ample 
li^rth,  and  a  woolan  bending  over  it,  preparing  break- 
fast  As  she  placed  a  chair  for  Christie,  into  which  the 
young  girl  dropped,  totally  exhausted,  Willi^r4  drew  her 
aside,  and  placing  his  purse  in  her  hands  sa)d  :     • 

*♦  My  good  woman,  you  perceive  .the  young  lady^s 
i^otbes  are  wet  through.  ,  Will  you  be  good  enough  to 
take  her  to  your  room^  and  furnish  her  with  some  dry 
,©pes?". 

.  •*  Yes,  sir,  I'm  sure  I'll  be  glad  to  help  her,  poor  young 
tihing  !  IVe  got  some  will  jest  aboiit  fit  her,"  said  the 
;Woman,  with  a  sympathizing  look. 

Wiilard  whispered  a  few  words  in  the  ear  of  Christie, 
wlio  arose  and  foUowc^l  the  woman  from  the  room,  while 
a  girl  about  Christie's  size  took  charge  of  the  -breakfast. 
Wiilard  seated  himself  near  the  fire,  and  fell  once  more 
into  a  painful  reverie,  from  which  the  return  of  Christie 
aroused  him.  Irle  placed  a  cltair  for  her  beside  his  own, 
and  sinking  into  it  she  dropped  lief  weary  little  head  on 
his  shoulder.  '  ''  %t 

Breakfast  was  soon  smoking  on  the  table,  and  cne 
three  wayfarers  took  seats;  but  much  as  they  needed 
ifK>d,  this  errand  had  effectually  taken  away  their  appe- 
tites, and  it  was  with  the  utmost  difficulty  they  could^^re-y 
v4il  upon  Chiri|^|^en  to  swallpw  a  cup  of  coffee; 
.     **Q^A,0Jlf^i^m^  mt  wj^  a  liors*  and  wagon  M> 

^  "^  '.;    '^  '      /'    ■■:■  \  .      -■  t  '-  \J I 


iSt: 


■f^ 


?'|-«?^€- 


P^^^^X^AJTATIOirS. 


•   ^  'v^■)^ 


J^.!?:;!,:  ""*  ^'""''  %"■"'  *■■>«•"  ">^  ■"- 

wZs"".  "°"  "'"  '""  ■«  '"  N— '••  said  Wm.H 
**  Littl<^  after  noon." 

"And  if  we  take  fresh  horses  immediately  we  can 
rqacA  Wcstport  before  morning,  can  we  not  ?" 

bodv  el«u>  *«  c—  »K  '^      ^    "*  going,  with  tvery- 

Doay  else,  to  see  the  woman  executed  eh  ?    T,>rH  ki 
me!  what's  the  matter  with  her?''  ^h  M  .  ^^ 

does  .hise.  Jrn  .a  JX«'r  "*"'  '"""'  '  ""M" 

.1,  "  '^i"'  l^  '■'"  """■■>»S  ;  has  to  be  early  on  occoun.  V 

MM-       y        "°"  "'  """''  ="  "'he  Darof 

^' Can  you  nit  start  right- away?"        ,  . 

„'••>'<»'' Wn't  before  an  liour." 
U  Uwra  uy  other  conveyance  to  be  hired  neir  ?" 

"No.  there  ain't,"  said  the  man,  shortly  •  "evervbod, 
w«...  their  own  to  talce  themselve;  there  If  t's  fo^ 
her  hang  you  ,ant.  yoj-,,  be  plenty  .in,e  when    L^^ 

hta  wi^  ™    ""f'""*"-  was  ready  to  start.    Then  he  and 
<»»  wslo  mnmtd  on  the  front  ,e«,  .od  Willaid  and 


I. 


l\'i 


t. 

■  .:<'^' 

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MXTLAMATtdWiL 


"Christie  cat  behind,  and  throyring  faei'  arms  around  biis 
neck,  Christie  bade  Uncle  Reuben  a  last  farewell. 
,.   ."G«od-b^,  little    Christie!"    he    said,   sorrowfully, 
"  Gro<>d-by,'*  and  Heaven  bless  thee.    I  will  come  to  see 

'^y>ee  some  day,  soon."  ' 

And  then  gOtJd  Uncle  Reuben  entered  his  donkey- 

ncart,  and  turned  his^d  face  toward  the  lonesome  forest 
cottage,  doubly \lodesoffle  now.  And  Cl^istie,  shrinking 
closer  to  Wiiiaifd;  laid  her  tired  head  bn  his  arm,  too 
ivearyaad  ^achatisied  even  to  weep  for  tjxc  Incnd  she  had 

kiL    ,.  ■,      \  -      /■■ .,     y     ,.    ^ 

The  farmer,  ti^ho  had  nio  itttentiojft  of  injuring  his 
by  ^  fast  4}l;^iving,  went  ploddiiiig/  at^  a  jog-trot 
»nw4trd,  in  spite  oif  Willaid^s  furiou^  ^^eMBi  to  drito 
^si.^'  Inwardly  cursing  the  lazy  be^/, '^HlPre  up  the 
^5ortat  last,  and  strove  to  while  away  the  tedious  hours 
ia  ^nversiog  with  Qimstie.  '  \ 

$lowly  and  somewhat  iflicoherently  he  learned  from 
lier  iiU  tite  events  of  ih«vb  tii^l:^  and  of  h^  after  life  in 
thi^jipo^tage,  4u^  iWr  motives  f^r  ri^mal ntng  there. 

bid,  you  were  willing  jio  remain  in  that  Isolated 

place  all  your  life  that  l  might  marry  Sibyl  Campbell, 

>  my  poor  Christie!"  hi^  s^d,  with  n  pang  of  deepest 

~  femorsc.^^   *♦  And  so  you  fti^ed  me  «|ili,  even  believing  me 

guilty?" 


*-x 


'illatd!  didyoi4  tli'ink  for  One  moment  tlmt  I 
'CKwld  cca^  to  Im-c  you ?**  she aiiswcred,  fervently.  "It 
was  bccansc  I  loved  you  so  well  that  1  wi$hed  to  see  you 
ha^jpy  tilth  wl>yl/-  . 

♦*lly  faiWwl,  IcrH^icartcd,  tmfcclfiish .  little  iji'if^"  be 
groiiiicd,  pressing  iicr  closer  to  his  side.    / 

^. Sot,  %Vii^rd,  tlierc  is  one  thing  I  want  to  know,    t 


■;.^■- 


!l.-* 


f 


■^^^^T 


"3(14- 


Vg3j 


wp-ttohearit  from  y<«r  o#a  Kp,.    AilSw^r  me  truly. 
u  you  hope  for  •alvation,  dajvu  lave  Sibyl  CampMl  r 
^-Oh,  Christie,  I  do!    I  do!    Better' than  life,  better 
Am  ay  soul's  salvation?     Better  than  my  hopes  ol 
heaven  do  I  love  her !"  he  exclaimed,  pissiooatel^        /  • 

»hiTer.    '^  Thank  Heaven  for  the  booa  of  death." 

"Bji^  Christie,  I  wiUfoiiget  her;  you  ^le  my  wifb.    t 
will  go  far  away,  where  I  will  never  see  her  moL  ♦"  he# 
«.d,  recalled  to  himself.    -  By  devoting  my  life  ti  you,  t" 
wifl^^  to  atone  for  all  I^ave  made  you  suffeA  «wit 

"Itwpnotbenocessat^.  Wilkird.    Dearest  be!  Wil^ 
lard,  can  you  not  see  I  am  dying  ?"    -  '  ^^ 

**  Christie  !"  he  cried  out  in  alajm. 

« I  mean  that  my  days  are  numbered ;  and,  wluafi 
I  am^happy.     I  only  widi  for  i^fe  long  enough  tolsa^e 

Something  In  licr  tone  checked  the  voids  te  w«s 
going  to  say,  and  both  reJapeed  into  stienoe.  brokia  ai' 
last  by  her  saying :  ] 

"JeU  HKJ  all  that  fa^s  happened  to  yorf  and  to Lay      • 
fnends,  siooc  that  night."  ^^v^ 

And  then  he  began,  anil  related  all;  his  fathlrV 
icath  ;  tl^s  rftock  he  received  on  bearing  <rf  her  mur 
of  his  departure  for  Europe  with  the  Campbell's ;  <*^  chteir 
return  and  their  marriage.  At  this  point  he  could  fecll  a 
slight  shudder  run  tlu^ough  the  frame  of  Christie'  hlit 
when  bespoke  of  the  mdooked-for  interruption,  and  If 
bibyi  s  being  carried  off  to  prison,  and  of  her  coademnl 
tion,  she  tr^mbled^so  convulsively  that  im  was  forced  I 

"Ob,  pMr  Sibri  r  die  said,  psMiouaiisIr,   ^|^ 


fe* 


■ti 


r^*^ 


PJIfT"'^ 


f*". 


>|fA 


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"*©■ 

!*^ 


.tOTPXiiir^nojraL 


lafd !  her  fate  was  1^'  worse  than  mine.  What  is  stltfejf 
log  of  any  kind  compared  with  the  shame-^th^  o^rar- 
whelming  disgrace— -of  that  trial,  exposed  to  thentorci- 
less  eyes'of  the  hundreds?  And  that  I  should,/in  anj 
way,  be  thf  cause  !  Oh,  Willard  !  it  is  dreadfuly 
•    She  wept  so  violently  that  he  was  alarmed^ 

V  My  own  dear  Christie,  be  calm,"  he  saulf  soothingly. 
^♦CJonsider  that  yot  are  now  going  to  save/ner  life," 
^v  Still '  she  wept  on,  until  her  overcharged  heart  was 
Itiievcd  ;  and  then,  worn  out  in  mind^nd'hody,  she  fell 
fast  asleep  on  his  shoulder. 

Early  in  the  afternoon  they   r^ched   N — — ,  which 
fiUiey  found  crowded  with  strangersr  on  their  way  to  IVest- 
port       .  ,       > 

Leaving  Christie  in  a  hoteLAVillard  went  to  seek  for 
a.  fast  horse  to  take  them  to  to/wn  ;  but,  to  his  dismay,  he 
found  that  eve?y  vehicle  /n  the  village  was  already 
'engaged.  Nearly  insane  with  wild  impatience,.he  oflfered 
enormous  sums  for  a  hoeie ;  but  as  the  stern  "  Impossi- 
ble !"  rose  against  all  his  demands,  he  was  forced  Xo 
leturn  to  the  hotel  inya  state  bordering  on  frienzy,  and 
'offer  the  farmer  with  whom  they  had  come  the  price  of  a 
dozen  horses  if  he  Would'only^coqsent  to  surrender  the 
wagon  to  him  and  l^t  him  drive.  *^ 
jivGarried  away  ISy  the  young  man's  distracted  words 
^wlf  manner,  he  at  last  consented ;  and  causing  Christie 
to  be  wrapped  VPtia  a  large,' warm  shawl  to  protect  her 
from  the  night/air,  he  lifted  her  into  the  wagon,  took  his 
seat  beside  ne^  and  dashed  off  at  a  break-neck  pace. 

Not  a  yfofd  was  spoken,  as  Willard,  urging  the  animal 
to  its  utmoit  speed,  almo$t  flew  over  the  ground.  The 
fewremaining  hours  of  daylight  passed,  aall  jlight  feir 
'4|»k'iMid  starless.    Oa,  stiil  on,  he  uiged  t^d  fei^tng^^ 


'L 


fl  -  ■ 


»MiK. 


Unoim. 


'■«. 


owning,  pantifig  beast.    Thev  w^r*-  e#ni  f  '  *         ^      * 

pri»n^U 'waiting  todteh    JiZ"  f  ^i!"^''  "  """ 
until,  nearly  mad  with  imT.-        ^      "^^  *^'°"  W"". 

whichV.::y^^:;:„ttr;d*^.'-'''->p«'''at  .„.„.... 

bring  them  ,o  W«,fr^K  •  ',"'  '"°  ^  "■"»  •>°'>". 

was  totally  unable  even  to  rise.  1 

For  one  moment  WiUard  uX^a 
while  a  feeling  of  utteXSIllTh-'  k''  ""S"-'  ' 
distance  from   Westoort-tht  f  1  "  ^^"-    ^iw 

the  impossibility  oTp'™  ur  Sg   tthnr^^'"''"'*^ 

p«a  0,  Sibyl,  struck  cMi?  nrr:;r.£'trs! 

driven  to  diaiii,  and  in  ten  shnr,  h         e-..  . '       *^"^  ^     •. 
.    "  Heaven  help  uiVZ'^cl^T"     ^^' ^"^  '■*  '^ 

.ouched.  th. an'imaV;TthT, f„^  "■"""'"  f ^"    A"",       ' 

«at!  -  Heavirwm  ",'  ""  '""""'^  «P''4'"<r  '™4» 
Willard  ha^'en  ."       ''™  ""  '"•"«"■  '»  '*  '^  /Oh! 


I 


?  t  <^'     ■'f       a"'     ■'"'   J"^' 


'M%'-^'^ 


JZNuAiMlWtfffl 


/  ■I 


•1^. 


,,.^^>  fSortt  accotepanied  her,  expecting  evvry  moment  to  MS 
['.kiffl  fic^dous  strength  give  way.  But  no  1  it  was  ft»  if  a 
^■ft<&w  spirit  had  entered  that  slight  frami»~-ff>r  as  she 
never  could  have  walked  in  her  days  of  perfect  health 
and  strength,  she  walked  now ;  ''never  for  one  roomen^-, 
faltering,  until  the  fir^t  dawn  of  morning  grew  red  in  the 
sky.  But  with  its  first  blush  Willard  felt  the  faint  hop^ 
tbat  had  hitherto  ^buoyed  him.  up  die  entirely  away. 
W0k  as  they  might,  he  felt  it  would  be  high  noon  before 
they  cS^uld  reach  West  port. 

"  It  is  all  useless,  Christie,"  he  said,  pausing  abruptly. 
"It  is  no  use  trying— we  tan  never  save  her  [" 

"We  will  save- her — we  sAa/I  save  her!"  exclaimed 
Christie,  with  a  strange  kind  of  exultation.     "Hari^r' 
ahe  added,  "  do  yoli  not  hear  a  carriage  approaching  ?" 
,  Even  as  she  .spoke,  a  cloud  of  dust  arose,  £fnd  the 
'  thunder  .of  wheels  was  heard  rapidly  approach) i^pl^ 
/.    "  Saved  V  she  cried,  joyfully.  J^"  Praised  be^God  I" 
.    Willard  sprang  forward  to  ioierccpt  th^  driver,  and 
sai;«f  a  large  country  wagon  nearly  filled  withlpeople. 

"  Can  you  take  us  to  Westport  ?    Our  errand  is  one  of 
iile  and  death  I"  /  ' 

Something  4n  Willard's  tone  startled  the  man  ;  but 
after  a  moment's  stare,  he  replied  :        \   . 
^Yes ;  jump  in."        .  '  ' 

if  ting  Christie  ia  Jlett^iie  took  his  seat  beside  her, 
and  a^^^in  dashed  ofi.     >\  « 

*VHasten-r-hasten  !  for  the  love  of  Heaven!"  cried 
Willard,  passionately.  ^-  ^    ' 

,    "I'll  do  my  best,"  said  the  man^    "I  Want  to  be  in 
time  for  the  execution,  anyway." 

On  tfa^y;  flj|[l4*    Milc^iter  mile  was  passed;  Initv^  the 


%^-y 

..'■''     *■■■-,;'  '"t  ■ 

MSPLAIfATlOm 


■/„ 


%■. 


*-.* 


'J 


^^   "  Faster—faster  I     A  thousand— two   thousand— fh«i^   -^J 

ih:;;:r  w-rr  ^^^  ^  'I 

*•  Hooray  r   shouted  the  boy  who  drove.     "  If  ever 
Sultan  went,  he'll  bave  to  go  it  now.  ^Here's  my  stick^ 
Ue  your  handkerchief  on  it,  to  hoist  when  we  g.tLo  the  ^^^ 
town,  and  they'll  stop  the  execution."/  " 

h  JiT'^'T-  ^J'  '^r*'  ""'•'  "^^  l^respiratioD  stooS  in  great  -7. 
P^s  on  his  forehead,  away  they  ftew,  4nd  ten  minutl  J 
/before  ninWushedJuriousIy  into  the  town  '""'*''* -^ 

The  str^s  wcre^crowded-blocked  up  with  people-a 

Srr:'.^"'"^"  '•'"«*•  AndnLthe'^f  tt;;^ 

hehetd  the  dcaflfold.  and  a  sight  which  seemed  to  paralyze 
the  very  hf^.n  their  hearts.  For  there,  with  the\herIS 
and   a  groulp  of   her    immediate    frteads,   stood    Sibrl 

cr^A^^'^^'r'"^'*''''^  Silence  had  fallen  aver  the  vast^ 

Raising  the  white  handkerchief,  the  boy  waved  it  ip 
the  air  ,hom.pg,  wiidly  :  -  A  reprieve-a  reprieve  I"  a  J 
drove  furiously  right  through  the  startled  throag/he^ 
less  of  those  be  trampled  down  in  his  way. 

ThQ  multitude  took  tip  the  cry,  and  "A  reprieve  I  « 
reprieve  I  »^repriever'  i^ng.out,  gathering  force  a»  U 
wer^il,  from  a  low.  hoarse  shout,  it  r4  toa  wil^ 
'""""^'^^^W*  tiiat  rang  to  the  very  heavens.       .* .  -^f 


MBBTINQB  Jjm  PABJ3JSQ8, 


U 


>§:" 


they  4rove,  until  they  reached  the  ilibaffold ;  and  thiaii 
ristng'to  her  feet,  the  thunder-struck  spectators  '  ' 
the  pal&  beftutiiiul  face  o£  the  Ixuag'-ioil^  C^isUfl* 


it'  jiif 


-i-      r- 


fj    ... 


lliBYlkOS  AND  PAItTIiKfS. 


**f  W«ili^'Mul :  I  would  to  heavcm  I 


,  4«<^     ".A\  For  U»en 'tU  like  I  should  forget  myself. 
I  p^Un-Ghi  if  I  couId«  what  gri«r  should  1  forget 

:^ir][*OR  one  moment,  sb  great  Was  the  surprise,  that 

M~^     every  shout  was  hushed,  and  the  silence  of  death 

reigned.    The  next,  a  wHd,  fearful  cpy^'that  those 

who  heard  would  i»cver  forget,  rang  out,  and  a  man,  amid 

the  cVowdi  fell  heavily  to  the  ground. 

There  was  a  swaying  to  and  fro,  as  the  vast  sea  of 
human  beings  made  way  for  those  who  raised  "Edgar 
Courtney,  white  and  senseless,  from  the  ground— a  dark 
stream.,  of  blood  ooxing  from  his  lips—and  a  murmur  ran 
round  :  **  He  h^  burst  a  blood-vessel !"  But  in  another 
moment  he  was  forgotten,  and  every  eye  was  riveted  on 
the  scaffold;  eyei^  «^r  was  stiaii|cd,.to  heaivw 
passing  there.  ■.,;:;':-•■"'■.,.■..,      #:„,;•#:    ' 

.  Sibyl's  mind,  stutined  fey  the  many  sbpcks  It  had  lately 
received  had  sunk  into ^  4prt  of  lethargy, /from  which 
nothing  coutd  arouse  h^r  j  and  now  she  stirtd  vaguely 
it  Christie,  like  one  in  a  dream.  ^ 

9^t,  with  a  fNMfsionate ,  exclaroationi  l|r.  Bra^twell 
Ibnmrdiiid^Mght  ChriHb'i  hfcndi  ^wrtiii^  "^ 


J.--,  I    ■...,',.    ^V-    -^"4r      '--tj    ?Vt-''       "     ■"'   -. 


MEBTims  Am  PAR^mk 

IS.  - 


"Sftvcd  I  saved  !    Sibyl  is  saved  f    Christie  Hv«.V- 

1  shall  do  so  with  pleasure.     Sir."  to  the  ..h^rJff  «   i 

-  With  which  She  is  Charged  ?"  '""^^"t  of  the  crime 

The  sheriff  bAw^d  irt  silcndfe. 

"Mr.   Drummdnd,  vou  Iia^lft/>rto.-  k  j         .  . 

entrance  of  Willard  she  srar^^H   ,.";^^'"^°'  ^'  «t  th© 
grew  irittsoB ;  lle^  wild,' bM«k  eWS  ltt«>.fr*1  !: 


i'?- 


w^f^.^ 


1  r.J*! 

1^ 


!\ 


.  ^^^  - 


SaQ  MEETINGS  AKD  PARUNOS. 

.  "My  dear  Sibyl,  be  reasonable,"  said  the  minister, 
delighted  ihat  even  aoRer  should  rouse  her  from  her  ^pa- 
khy.     "Mr,  Drummotid  has  saved  youriife:''^ 

"I  would  sooner  die  than  owe  my  ^  to  bi;xi !"  she 

said,  passionately.  :  ..      i  u 

-  "  Mv  dear  Sibyl,"  said  the  minister,  soothingly,<.as  »« 
cast  a  deprecating  glance  at  Willard;  "You  niustn't  talk 

like  this  ;  it's,  very,  wi-ong,  you  know."  .„,.., 

"Let  her  speak;  Mr.  Brantwell  ;  I  deserve  It  all,    ^aid 

Willard,  bitterly.  ,_-  , 

His  words,  the  sound  of  his  voice,  wrought  a  revul- 
sion in  her  feelings,  and  she  cried  out,  in  a  tone  of  pas- 
sionate reproach  : 

"Oh,  Willard,  Willard !  how,  could  you  deceive  me 
so  ?  I  loved  you  so  much,  sq  much  Willard,  and  yet  you 
dec^ved  roe  !  Ob,  it  was  cruel,  it  was  bas«,  it  was  treach- 
erous,  it  was  unmanly  to  trifle  with  a  poor  young  girl 

thus!"         .      '  -        _  .  ,       . 

*♦  Sibyl,  I  am  a  wretcK !.  I  dare  not  ask  you  to  forgive 

nie  !"  he  groaned,  in  bitterest  remorse. 

^"  Atfd  she— she  is  youV  wife,  is  she  not  ?"  she  said,  fix- 
ing her  flaming  eyes,  on  the  pale,  wan  .face  (^  Christie.     • 
"She  is  ;  but  she  had  no  part  in  deceiving  you,  Sibyl ; 
all  the  blame  must  rest  on  me.     As  I  deceived  you,  so 
did  I  deceive  her,  villain  that  I  was,"  he  replied. 

"Mr.    Drummond,   she    is    dead,   I    fear,"   said    Mr. 
^rantwell,  looking  in  alarnv  at  the  white,  rigid  face  of 

Christie.  u  »» 

"  No^  she  has  only  swooned  ;  she  breaths  yet.         ^ 
"     '  "Here  we  are,  at  the  hotel,  thank  Heaven  1"  sai^  the 
/'minister,  as  the  ooach  stopped. 
.    _    A  vast  crowd  had  assembled  here..  For  a  moment  all 


K 


\ 


TT 


m^ 


' " ■■  r^      /v.  ■  '.  •    • 

ME^TlNOa  ANfi  PAR^ima. 

M  from  passing  through  1^501  there  was  a^a  hclR 

,      1 5^ro«i£r  is  here  ?;^id  Sibyl,  i„  .  hu^ed  whisper. ' 

,    "  T.ike  me  to  his  room  then  "  «ihi.  buM  «/  •       t 
through  that  of  the  clergyman  '  ^^     ^^  ^''''"". 

WdTh"  ""•"•  '"''''  ^'"'-  ^••"^'nond.to  my  apartment." 
>5aid.the  minister,  kindly;   "the  waiter  wiirl 
-wher#»  if  ic      T     -11  •   ••  wauer  will  show  you 

Where  it  is.     L„,||  join  you  in  a  fe«?'raoniei«s." 

.r™^°W°>f  '^'  ^«'"  '°™  °'  ""  "i"  «nselSswife  in  hi,  ■  i 

Tie  wil:'f  ,?h  "f  '-•  '"""'  """  '"'"  ""  °»  ">«  bed     ' 
1  he  wife  of  the  host  entered  with,;  restoratives.  buHt 
was^ong  ere  the  heavy  .ids,we«  miSji  iT^nTthe  ^at.::^ 

bendin^Ter  her"""' '""  ""  '''"^■^"°"  '••  »'-  ^"'«<'.' 

•    ••  Vesi' wi>?*r'"'"  r'  r"""'"'^  "»""  -o  •■"  "eart. 
jies,   I  wilr  soon  be  bettpr  "  cK*.  .,„;j   •  " 

tone.    -Willard,  wher,  il  s!^.  >^  ^"t^".^  "-»«« 

"With  her  brother,  dearest/'    *^^'        "-  H    / 

"  Haye  you  told  her  all  ?'•         ^  >    ^    'I     .   / 

;;  No.  Christie,  I  have  explained'  nothing/'  /^  ^ 

giveness  before  I—"  .  ^^      '"'^'  '  '°f- 

"  Before  you — what  ?" 
•■Nothing,  dearest  Willird.     Have  you  sent  ?- 

^ver^rrl^e^LT-'"^  '".  ""'''"'  ^""TChristiel  you  ' 

I  wronged  hir     Lf^^' ".h  "''""°"'"'^- P'^''*P''  "•»  «'"  ' 
Th!,!!  ,".^  '  "'='""■''  '=°'"'"S.  Willard."  • 

There  w.,  a  soft  knock  «  the  door.    Wi,l.,d  op,ii«; 


r^'- 


J 


E 


'%% 


#»i7fr-*'^*'.'<??w^j^y^ 


■»,*'»*'■  •i'':''~     yif. 


■r'*f;'f,y  «»., 


«r-ir-'./ 


'  I 


% 


MEBTims  Ain>  pAnnstm 


V 


%  «nd  Mr.  Drantweil,  followed  by  Sibyl  and  Cflpuin 
Campbell,  entered.  The  young  captain,  pale,  thin,  and 
haggard,  cjnt  a  fierce,  implacable  glanee  at  Willard  ;  but 
the  sight  of  the  frail,  spiritual,  attenuated  form  of 
Christie  checked  th«  fierce,  padsiotiafe  Wdrds  that  were 
already  rising  to  his  lips. 

A  great  change  wtt»  perceptible  in  Sibyl  during  these 
lew  minutes.  The  exhortations  of  the  good  clergyman 
had  evidently  not  be^n  wlthdirt  effect ;  for  her  pale,  worn 
lace  had  a  calm,  subdued  look,  as  if  sfee  had  at  last  real- 
ized the  great  dan  get  she  had  escaped. 

"  Miss  Sibyls-dear  Miss  Sibyl,  can  ydii  ever  forgive 
me  ?"  sdild  the  sad,  sweet  voice  of  Chrtstie,  as  she  held  out 
her  hand  and  looked  wistfully,  imploringly  into  Sibyl's 
face. 

"  Oh,  Christie,  I  have  nothing  to  forgive  you.  XoM 
were  not  guilty,"  said  Sibyl,  sinking  down  by  the  bed- 
side, and  hiding  her  face  in  Christie's  little  thin  hand. 

"  Not  willfully,  but  stfU  I  wronged  you.     And  there  iSf 
,  another — will  you  not  forgive  him  ?" 

"Never,  so  help  me  Heaven  f"  fiercely  exclaimed 
Sibyl,  springing  np  and  casting  upon  him  a  glance  of 
fi»e.  s.. 

"Sibyl,  I  am  dying!    Yc«i  will  not  refuse  my  last 
request  I    Oh,  Sibyl,  in  a  Ihoment  of  thoughtless  passion 
he  married  me ;  but  all  the  lime  he  loved  you  best.     I 
,  can  see  it  all  now.     He  loved  you  then^ — he  loves  you 
bow^nl^etter  than  all  the  world."  ^  . 

,  j  ♦*  And  you  can  forgive  him  for  the  irreparable  wtong 
lie  has  done  you— a  deserted  home,  a  blighted  life,  andfan 
early  deatli?'  Christie,  you  ace  an  angei !" 

*'Hd,  no  'r  only  a  frail  sinner,  with  sd  ratHch  id  be  for- 
|^v«»  iaetiaU^  that  abe  caw  ittsily,  jdyfully  forgive  that^ 


V      - 

V 


,  r 


asps-'.. 


-■H^ 


•#?■ 


mSTlNQS  AlfD  PAJiTiyO/SL  Hg 

Sibyl,  my  bour»  are  numbered.  Will  you  render  them 
miserable  by  refusing  my  last  request  ?" 

"Oh,  Christie,  you  know  not  what  you  ask  !" 

♦'  Sibyl,  do  you  not  love  Willard  still  ?" 

"Oh,  I  do— I  do!  Heaven^rgive  me,  I  do  !"  8b« 
said,  passionately.  ,  ^^ 

"  And  he  Joves  you.  Willard,  come  here— take  Sibyl's 
hand.  Now,  Sibyl,  prorais©  wljeu  I  am  gone  to  be  his 
wife." 

There  was  a  fierce  struggle  in  the  passionate  heart  of 
Siby|--a  l^st  sirngglie  between  love  and  pride,  and  her 
burning  sense  of  the  great  wrong  he  had  done  her.  With 
her  face  bowe<J,  her  wholo  frame  quivering,  she  did  not 
look  up— would  not  speak,  until  the  little  band  of  Chris-' 
tie  fell  imploringly  ont  her  head. 

"Sibyl,  I  cannot  go  until  you  promise  mt;  this.  Oh, 
Sibyl,  I  love  you  both  so  much  that  I  would  willingly  die 
to  make  you  happy,  You  love  one  another  still;  why 
should  this  one  fault,  committed  in  ft  moment  of  thought- 
lessness make  your  whole  future  lives  miserable?  Oh, 
Sibyl,  we  have  all  so  much  to  be  forgiven,  can  you  not 
pardon  this  ?" 

Still  no  reply  - 

"  Sibyl,  I  am  dying  !  if  I  can  forgive  the  wrong  done 
me,  why-^oh,  why  cannot  you  ?  Oh,  Sibyl,  cast  out  this 
false  pride  that  will  make  you  wretched  all  your  life,  and 
make  my  last  mo  ,ents  happy  by  this  promise.  Oh, 
Sibyl,  dearest  Sibyl,  consent !" 

"Christie,  you  have  conquered,"  said  Sibyl,  as  she' 
kissed  through  her  fast-falling  tears,  the  pale  brow  of  the 
trying  girl    Then  rising,  she  placed  her  hand  io  Wil- 
l»r<l'9f  fta4  said,  with  sad  earnestness : 


\%.i 


i- 


MEBTmaa  and  partings.      / 

■    -  / 

"  Willard,  we  have  both  erred  ;  let  us  forget  the  past. 
I  love  you  still,  and  forgive  you  all." 

He  did  not  relpy— he  could  not  speak  ;  but  he  r{iised 
the  hand  she  extended  to  his  lips,  and  turned  toward  tfce 
window. 

"  Oh,  thank  Heaven— thank  Heaven  for  this  I"  cried 
Christie,  ex^iltingly.     «  Now  I  can  die  in  peace." 

There  was  a  low  'rap  at  the  door.  Captain  Campbell 
opened  it,  and  I^aura  Courtney,  pale,  wild  and  excited, 
entered. 

"  Mrs.  Courtney  \y<m  here  ?"  exclaimed  Mr.  Brantwell, 
in  surprise.  v 

"  Oh,  Mr.  Brantwell,  Edgar  is  dying-^the  doctor  says 
so ;  and  he  is  raving  and  saying  the  most  frightful  things. 
He  wants  to  see  Captain  Campbell  and  his  sister  immedi- 
ately." 
.  "  Me  !"  said  Sibyl.     "  What  can  he  want  with  me  ?" 

"Oh,  I  do  not  know.  He  is  saying  such  dreadful 
things  !  Come  with  me,"  said  Mrs.  Courtney,  catching 
Sibyl's  arm  in  a  wild,  terrified  way  and  drawing  her  from 
the  room. 

Mn^rantwell,  Willard,  and  his  dying  girl-wife  were 
left  alone.    ^ 

•*  I  want  to  see  Aunt  Tom  and  Carl,"  said  Christie, 
faintly.     "  Do  you  know  where  they  are  to  be  found  7' 

•*  They  are  on  the  island,"  said  Mr.  Brantwell,  "  and 
consequently  have  not  heard  of  your  arrival  here.  I  will 
send  a  messenger  oj^er  for  them,  if  you  wish." 

'  Yes,  yes  !"  said  Christie,  eagerly  ;  •*  send  now— right 


away 


ti 


• 


,  Mr.  Brantwell  left  the  room,  and  speedily  returned  to 
•ay  that  a  man  had  gone,  and  Mrs.  Tom  and  her  nephew 
might  be  expect^  in  a  few  hours* 


ifr-T  -'r;:-  'ijt^^ts'T.irfl^^^2|7^ 


'"'■''•**i^*!^3^'^'v^^^!Wir?f^ 


MEET1N08  AND  PART1N08.  881' 

And  then  the  good  clergyman  came  and  sat  down 
beside  the  dying  girl,  and,  taking  her  hand  in  his,  began 
talking  in  a  low  earnest  tone,  while  Willard,  with  his 
head  bowed  on  his  hand,  sat  by  the  window,  absorbed  by 
many  conflicting  thoughts. 

And  thus  an  hour  passed  ;  and  then  Captain  Campbell 
and  his  sister  returned,  pale  and  excited,  as  if  by  some 
strange  hidings. 

^'  Mr.  Courtney  ?"  said  the  minister,  inquiringly. 

'•Is  dead  !••  answered  Captain  Campbell,  with  a  slight' 
shudder.  ^ 

"  Is  it  possible  ?  How  very  sudden  !"  said  Mr.  Brant- 
well,  in  surprise.     "  What  Was  the  matter  ?" 

"  He  ruptured  an  artery  this  morning,"  replied  the 
young  man,  beginning  to  pace  »the  room  with  rapid 
strides :  "and  that,  with  the  shock  caused  by  the  unex- 
pected  appearance  of  Christie,  caused  his  death." 

"Christie's  appearance!  How  could  that  shocic 
nim?    said  the  minister,  still  more  surprised. 

"  He  thought  her  dead-thouglit  himself  her  murderer 
and  fancied  she  had  risen  from  the  grave  to  accuse  him  '' 
said  Captain  Campbell,  excitedly.  * 

"  Thought  himself  her  murderfir  !"  said  the  minister  * 
still   repeating  the  young  man's  words,   like  an  echo! 
"Hpw  was  that?" 

Both  Christie  and  Willard  fixed  their  eyes  eagerly  on 
the  exdited  face  of  the  young  captain. 

'■'  Well,  it  was  he  who  stabbe^,  her  that  night  on  the' 
beach.     He  has  confessed  it  all,"  said  Captain  Campbell 

"He  stabbed  her!"  exclaimed  Willard,  springinff  to 
his  feet,  while  Christie  utt^a  faint  cry  ;  "and  why,  in 
tlie  name  of  Heaven,  shoulMfc  try  to  murder  her?  Whit' 
had  she  ever  done  to  him  ?" 


^-.SJj 


Rill- 

1,  *" 


/jy(7/8  4Jir^  PAjiTtma. 

"Nothing.     He  did  not  mean  to  jnjull ^Chris^ie.     He 
mistook  her  for  his  wife."  ■  >/ 

"  Mistook  fne  for  his  wife  !"  said  ChrisMe,  fike  one  in 
a  dream.     "  And  did  he  waJipit  to  kill  his  wife|i* 
^  '*  Ves  ;  horrible  a^  it  seems,  he  wanted  to  kill  h«jr  J" 
said  Captain  Campbell.   ;♦'  The  way  of  it  was  this,"   le 
said,  stopping  suddenly,  'p  his  excited  walk,  "  Courtney^ 
was  jealous  of  his  wifp  ;  lie  fancied  she  had  gone  to  keep 
an  appcintpijBnt  irith  some  one  on  ihe  island  "—  a  slight 
4»»sh  of  crimspn  glowed  for  an  instant  on  his  dark  cheek 
as  he  spoke— '*  and  he  determined  to  follow  her  there. 
>.  He  wpnt.    Ip  thestpfm  and  darkness  hp  met  Christie. 
He  thought  her  His  wif e^  apd  stabbed  her,  and  left  her  for 
de^d  pn  \he  gr<»und.    Soa»e  apparHion  that  he  met  tcrri- 
^ed  him,  and  he  fled  frowj  the  island— first  returning  to 
«hc  spot  yrhere  he  had  Iqft  Christie  ;  \y\xt  fipding  the  bpdy 
gone,  swept  away  by  the  tide,  as  he  imagined.      H« 
returned  tb<B   ppxt  evening  %o  thp  parsonage ;  there  he 
found  hiWPife  living,  h^l  hearipg  the  runior  of  Christie'a 
«*<»thf  ^e  we^  )m:  had  scabbed  ber  in  his  blind  fury.     He 
l|^4f  also,  that  ipy  sistpr  had  gon^  tp  th;e  island  that 
night,  and  that  a  woman  ir<;seinb)ing  her  had  been  seen 
flying  througli  the  storm  about  the  time  th^  c|eed  \yas 
cooamitied,  and  the  diabolical  project  entered  his  head  o| 
having  her  accused  of  the  murder,  and  thus  freeing  him- 
srif  forever*from  ^11  possibility  of  blame.    How  well  he 
succeeded,  we  all  know  j  and  Sibyl  wPtild  have  died  an 
ignominious  deatl?  foy  jds  crim^,  had  not  a  retributive 
Proyidence  sent  ^hri^Me  here  at  tlje  eleyepth  bouf  to  save 
hpr»  and  bring  his  cr|pf  to  light  ;  but  top  late  to  save 
bf^  fppin  |he  $baro^  and  hiiqaiii^tioii  of  wha|  )^s  passed. 

¥»#m  l9Mi  ^«n^  mfM  W§  9m\  fpr  u  r 


'    1    fi 


-k^i'f 


'^im^''' 


f■^, 


•f.r  -y 


■rjaprifrriiiiu^,,. 


\  '    4{SET1N08  AND   PARflNQS. 

^     "Ob.  brother!  hush  !"  said  Sibyl,  laying  her  hand  oo 
his  arm.     "  Remember  you  speak  of  the  dead  !"  " 

;  "This  ismoMstrous."  siiid  Mr.  Uraqtwell,  in  a  tone  of 
horror  "I  never  >eamt  that  any  man  in  his  senses 
could  have  Committed  such  a  crime." 

"  He  was  not  in  his  senses,"  said  Sibyl^  "he  was  crazed 
with  jealousy."  \  ' 

\^  ^'  Was  he  not  sane  when  he  accused  you—the  doubit* 
dyed  perjuror?"  exclaimed  Captain  Campbell,  fiercely. 
;  Oh,  why  does  God  permit  such  frightful  injustice  to  go  • 
so  long  unpunished?  Where  slept  His  thunderbolts  that 
thrs  demon  in  human  form  was  not  stricken  dead  where 
I  he  stood  ?"  ,  ,  . 

"  Guy,  my  dear  boy,  be  calm."  interposed  Mi».  Brant- 
well..  «  God  is  His  own  interpreter ;  and  in  His  own 
good  time  has  seen  fit  to  save  your  sister.  Let  wiiat  is 
past  be  forgotten—'  let  by-gones  be  by-gones.*  " 

"  But  Christie  has  not  told  us  yet  how  she  was  saved  " 
said  Sibyl4^' all  that  is  still  involved  in  mystery,"  -'- . 
^  Faintly, >nd  in  broken  sentences,  for  her  strength  wa» 
failing  fast,  Christie  related  all  that  the  reader  already  ' 
knows.  To  explain  ilm  presence  of  Bertha  on  the  island, 
It  was  necessary,  however  painful  it  might  be»  to  tell  her 
story  :  and  Guy  and  Sibyl  listened  in  sorrow  and  araaa©, 
ment.  , 

"  Then  my  fatbe^'s  wife  lives  yet,"  said  Sibyl,  slowly. 

"And  now  I  remember,  though  indistinctly,  like  a 
dream,  of  catching  a  glimpse  of  a  tall,  dark.  handsQii^^ 
woman  in  the  upper  rooms  of  the  old  lodge,  when  I  wa*^ 
a  boy,"  said  Quy,  thoughtfully.     '« It  is  strfcnge  I  thougUt 
so  little  of  it  at  the  time,  for  her  presence  there  was  tin*.; 
gular.    What  terrible  revelation?  tim*  bring?!  to  Jigli||^ 


-  'i^, 


,'  ^^i" 


■-.  V  *'^*'y^!^j^^^i^^;^^ 


^:,-.. 


'.1' :  ;• 


TT' 


B94 


MEETimS  AND   PARTimS. 


Wl^o  would  ever  suppose  my  fatheh  could  have  donre  Siitch 

...adjeed?"     •  ■  V\        .  '         .'^^ 

I** His  child,  too,  may  be  living  yet,^'  said. Mr.  Brant- 

welll.     "How  unfortunate  that, tlierc\is   no  clew  to  teii 

what  may  have  been  its  fate."  \ 

Ere  any  one  could  rcpjy,  a  bustle  at  the  door  arrested 
their  attention;  and,  tlie  next  moment,  Mrs.  Tom 
entered,  followed  by  Carl,  and  rushing  to  the  bed, 
clasped  Christine:  in  her  arms,  laughing  and  crying  hyster- 
ically. J 

I  "  My  own  darling  child  !  my  own  blessed  baby!  my 
dienr,  darling  little  Chrisiiel"  were  her  exclamations, 
petween  laughing,  and  crying,  and  hugging. 

"  Dear  Aunt  Tom  !  dear,  good  Augt  Toni  1  Oh,  I  am 
io  glad,  so  glad  to  see  you  again  !"  saird  Christie,  throw- 
ing her  arms  round  her  neck,  her  wan  face  flushing  with 

"And  to  think  that  you  was  married,,. and  I  never 
Iknowed  a  word  about  it !  Lor'  sakes  !  an'  to  be  killed, 
(too,  and  come. to  life  at  the  nick  o'  time  !"  said  Mrs.  Tom, 
with  another  hug,  and  a  laugh,  and  a  fresh  burst  of  tears. 
"Carl,  you  great,  lazy,  idle  vagabones,  come  over  here 
and  see  Christie,  'stead  o'  sending  there,  shiftin*  froja. 
one  foot  to  another,  Uk€  you  had  got  into  a  nest  o'  young 
wipers." 

Thus  adjured,  in  the  sharp,  peremptory  tone  that 
reminded  Christie  of  other  days,  Carl  advanced  and 
pressed  his  lips  to  Christie's  cheek  as  gingerly  as  though 
,he  were  afraid  of  burning  himself.  Evidently  relieved 
when  this  was  over,  he  edged  off  toward  the  door,  and, 
at  the  invitation  of  Sibyl,  took  a  seat,  and  sat  down  on 
the  extreme  edge  of  the  chair.    '  ■  *■ 

And  th«n,  when  Mrs.  Tom  had   hugged  and  kissed 


&*!•'* 


,    y      .      .   .  ...      .  ,   ^      ;.  .    ..^     ....    . 


MEETINGS  AND   I^TINOS. 


Christie  to  her  heart's  content,  and  laughed  and  cried 
hev-elf  into  something  like  composure,  her  fh-st  demand 
was  to  hear  all  that  had  happened  "scncethat  there  awful 
night." 

And  Sibyl,  fearing  to  further  agitate  ChriWe,  who 
had  now  fallen  back,  completely  exhausted,  on  hdr  pillow, 
led  the  bustling  little  woman  over  to  the  window,  and 
seating  herself  near  her,  related  all.  \p 

Mrs.  Tom  listened  with  niany  ">ior'  sakes'U"  and 
"gracious  me's  !  '  and"oh's!"  and  "ah,  Lord's  IV  until 
Sibyl  began  relating  the  maniac's  story.  As  shfe  pro- 
ceeded, Mrs.  Tom  grew  violently  agitated  ;  and  before 
she  Could  reach  the  end,  the  old  lady  had  jumped  up^  and, 
pale  and  trembling,  bent  over  Christie. 

"  Christie,  look    here,   she  skid,"  excitedly,   that   iherc 
crazy  woman  had  a  little  child,  had  «he,  the  time  she\was 
walled  up  in  that  room  ?" 
_    '^  Yes,"  replied  Christie,  wonderingly. 

"That^here  little  child  was  left  in  Campbell's  Lo 
with    Mark  Campbell,   was  it?"    continued   Mrs.   T 
more  and  more  agitated. 

"  Yes,  I  believe  so.  Why,  Aunt  Tom,  what's  the  ras- 
ter ?"  ' 

"And  they  never  could  find  out  what  becariie  of  I  it 
after,  could  they  ?"  again  asked  Mrs.  Tom,  sinking  intda 
chair.   \  '*' 

"  No.  Why,  what  in  the  world  does  ail  you,  Au  it 
Tom  ?"  said  Christie,  in  still  increasing  susprtse. 

"  Oh,  ,my   Saviour  !     Oh,   ray   dear  Lord !     Only  to 
think  on  it!     Christie,  that  there  crazy   vy^omaa  is  ><>, 
moi/ter  I    You  are  the  Tittle' child  that  was  left  with  Mar 
Campbell!" 

In  a  moment  nearly  all  present  were  on  their  fet^ 


'   k'„^t€,.  la'k 


'J      \    \ 


LAi     -: 


*    V-    i> 


M 


£%■ 


4i^r 


-.■^^ 


gazing  ini^oqderand  amaze  on  Mrs.  Tom,  ancibn  each 
other,  as  if  asking  wliat  in  the  world  ihey  were  (Tcstined 
to  hear  next. 

Christie,  too  weak  now  16  betray  aiiy  emotiori, ,  hy 
still,  with   her  wondering  blue  eyes  fixed  on  tho  oW 
Uron^n's  face.  ^  > 

"Yes,  you  needn't  stare,  all  of  you  ;  it's  jest  soy''\said 
Mrs^Tom,  verjt  much  excited;  "and  the  way  of  it  was 
this  :  Qnc  morning  airly,  jest  as  I  rlz,  Mark  Cjjnpbell 
came  into  my  cottage  with  something  I  took  to  be  a 
bundle,  under  his  cloak.  He  Jpened  it,  and  you  may 
gueas  the  astonishment  I  was  in^  wheni  instead  o'  a  bun- 
'^^^  laia  the  iweeiest,  deareo;  putiiest  little  baby  on 
the  table  ever  I  seed.  Lor'  sakes | :  iCi^as  so  completely 
consterni^ed  I  hadn't  ^  word  to  say,  |)ut  jfcst  stood  starin* 
With  my  mouth  wide  open;  fUst  at  him  and  then  at  the 
baby  that  was  sleepin'  like  a  sweet  little  angel.  Before  I 
could  ask  him  a  single  blessed  question  'bout  it,  he  sez 
to  me : 

"•Mrs.  Tom,  ^here's  a  child  I  want  tookeu  care  of. 
Ef  you'll  do  it,  I'll  pay  you  ;  if  you  won't ' 

•*  I  don't  know  what  he  was  going  ^o  say,  for  I  broke 
out  with  the  greatest  string  o'  questions  just  then  that 
pver  was,  asking  him  all  ^bout  the  baby  ;  but  he  only 
looked  fierce,  and  wouldn't  tell  me  a  word. 

♦'  •  If  you  will  take  it,  Mrs.  Tom,'  sez  he,  '  you  shall  be 
well  rewarded  for  taking  care  of  it  ;  but  yoii  must 
SpTCf,  wh|ie  I  live,  breathe  to  a  living  soul  that  I  left  it 
ffith  you,  If  ypu  do,'  sez  he,  'it  will  be  all  the  worse 
for^ou.' 

w  f^nd  It's  niotlier/  sea  I ;  « wh^reVshe  ?' 
♦♦  My  conscience !  if  you  ba^  seen  him  then  !    His  face 
f»t  IH^  a  ^un<|er-cloud^  att4  be  ^id^  in  a'voic©  that 


4it 


yiva 


(  >• 


]H 


MEBTINQB  AND   PARTimS.  997 

made  me  tremble-yes.  even  me,  and  there  ain't  ma^V 
I  d  tremble  before,  thajtik  (he  Lord  :  ^ 

'"Never  ^lention  that  word  again,  or  I  swear  I'll 
blow  your  brains  out  as  I  would  a  rabbit's  f 

"And   then  he   rushed   from   the   house,  Icavinir   me 

^forelntn       'k'"^'^'«''^"^'    ''"•^"   ^^^  ^  ^-^    ^l 
t>etore  in  all  my  born  days. 

'  o     rf"V. ''?''''*'  ^^^3^'^"^  ^'-iHedit  'Christina.'  after 

a  sister  I  had  once  (^arl   Henley's  mother,  poor  thing' 

hat  went  and  heaved  herself  away  on  a  vagabones  of^a 

fellow),  and  kept  u  tillit  grew  up.     Mark  Campbell  died 

*b^ut  ihe"  ,   f,'^'"''  '"'  ^'  "^^^^  ^P"'^^  -°^^-  word 
about  the  child  ;  but  now  I  know,  arter  hearing  about  the 

crazy  woman,  she  was  its  mother." 

Aunt  Tom  paused  for  breath,  and  Sibyl,  with  a  great 
cry,  sprang  forward  and  clasped  Christie  in  her  armf 

.,  1  •  J'?^*"  •  ""^  '''^^'  •  "^y  ^^^'"  '•"'«  sister  !•'  she 
exclaimed,  through  her  fast  falling  tears.  »  Oh,  Christie ! 
oh,^Christ,e  I  to  discover  you  are  my  sister  when  it  is  too 

With  her  arms  round  Sibyl's  neck,  her  golden  heaa 

Kr  .'^f^^'^"^^^^'  Christie  said,  in  a  voice  sp  faint 
that  SiLyl  had  to  stoop  down  very  low  to  hear  her  • 

"I  am  going,  Sibyl,  dear  sister  Sibyl  !  Tell  Guv  mr 
brother,  and  Aunt  Tom.  to  come  and  bid  me  good-by  " 

In  a  voice  qhoked  with  sobs,  Sibyl  called  them  to  the 
beds.de  to  receive  .that  parting  embrace,  Guy's  eyc3 
were  fwd  of  tears,  and  Mrs.  Tom's  sobs  re-sounded  audibly 
through  the  room.  > 

«nH  H  "'^  »<^«^  Sibyl,  my  own,  my  darling  sister,  good-by;' 
and  Heaven  bles?  you.     Hush  !  do  not  weep  so  "and  the 

"Dt^rsTf       'P''^  Sibyl's  ^k  in  a  last  ^bl^. 
i^earest  Siby?,  ^o  now  and  s<^n Millard  to  ine.# 


)  't 


'•^ 


^H 


-,j%-;-:, 


■.r*^- 


•  rv»v .--,?••  ^  »-   .:•■.     '■■t-   f    -i-j  ■>     .  T 


d^ 


MEET1N08  AND   PARTINOB. 


Pressing  a  last  kiss  (S^n  the  triinsparent  brow,  Sibyl 
arose,  and  bcciconcd.VVillaW  to  Approach. 

Calm  and  tearless,  but  6:i>^  with  ai  grief  too  intense 
for  tears,  he  came  over.  A^llush  of  love  and  jpy  lit  up 
the'  wan  face  at  his  approach,  her  arms^>— with  a  last  e^ort 
— encircled  .his  neck  ;  the  golden  head  drbpped  on  his 
breast,  while  the  sweet  beautiful  lips  murmured  : 

"Dear   WiHard  !    dearest    VVillard  !   good-by  !  V  I  am 

going  ;  going  to  heavbn  to  pray  for  you  and  Sibyl.\  You 

will    try   to  be  Very  happy,  and  make  her  very  happy, 

when   I  am  gone — will  youjnot?     Lift   me  up.  Wlllard, 

-  and  carry  me  to  the  window,  I  vvaiit  to  se^  the  beautiful 

f    sunlight  once  more." 

He  lifted  the  slight  little  form,  and  sat  down,  with  her 
in  his 'arms,  beside  the  window.  A  bright  ray  of  sun- 
shine flashed  ill,  and  lit  up  with  a  sort  of  glory  the  an^el- 
brow,  the  golden  hair,  and  the  sweet,  pale  face.  ! 

Colder  and  colder  grew  the  hand  in  his  ;  lower  sank 
the  head  on  his  bosom  ;  fainter  and  fainter  beat  the  gen- 
tle, loving  heart.  No  sound,  save  the  suppressed  sobs  of 
Mrs.  Tom,  broke  the' stillness  of  the  room. 

Suddenly   the   closed   eyes   flew   open,  with  a  vivid, 
radiant  light  ;  the  sweet/lips  parted  in  a  sniile  of  ineffUbl^ 
joy  ;  and  she  half  rose  f>om  her  recumbent  posture.     The  j; 
next,  she  fell  back  ;  th'^ilue  eyes  closed  ;  a  slight  shiver 
passed  through  nfer  frame  ;  and  the  streaming  Sunshine^ 
fell  on  the  face  o(  the  dead. 

One  year  after,  there  was  a  wedding — a  very  qdiet, 

'  piivate  one — at  the  little  church  of  N .    And  when  it 

wiis  over,  Sibyl  and  Willard  eotered  their  plain,  dark 
traveling  carriage,  and  bidding  good-by  to  their  friends, 
assembled  in  the  parsonage,  set  out  for  Willard^s  Vir< 


-1 


?f-"^'i,,*^:S^S^|*: 


-  -'ir'^»g""-^i|f|>m_gnni[ini^pw 


/•^^ 


ME&TINOa  AND   PARTINOS. 


199 


ginia  home-where,  in  the  unclouded^  sunshine  of  the 
future,  they  soon  forgot,  or  learned  to  only  look  back^ 
mih  tender  regret,  to  the  sufferings  and  sorrows  of  the 
past. 

^Chr^tie  was  not  forgotten,  i  TtJ^^idest  daughter  of 
Mr.  and  Mr^.  Drummond.  a  gentle,  dark-eyed  girl,  bea^s 
her  name.  /  i  »     »    ^  •» 

Three  months  after  the  marriage  of  Sibyl,  her  brother 
led  to  the  ahar  Laura  Courtney,  whose  natural  vivacity 
soon  overcame  the  shock  she  had  received  by  the  sudde 
death  of  Edgar  Courtney,  hqr  unloved  husband  •  ana 
three  days  lat^,  in  the  good  bark  ^' Evening  ^vJr- X, 
was  dancmg  over  the  bright  waves  of  the  Atlantic  on  ger 
way  to  Europe  with  Captain  Campbell. 

Willard  Drummond  sent  for  Uncle  Reuben  and 
Iha,  atid  for  several  years  they  resided  with  him 
wh.en  at  last  the  gentle  maniac  passed  in.peace  aw 
faithful  cousin  bade  them  farewell,  and  set  out 
boyhood  home,  to  pass  his  last  days  under  t4i^  ol 
tree. 

ici  ^l^  ^""[Tom,  R:°«d  old  Auht  Tom,  staid  stiJl  on  the 
sland,  which  no  jiersuasions  could  eVer  induce  her  to- 
leave,>ahd  there  brought  up  Mr.  Carl  Henley  in  the  wav 
he  should  g^  ;  and  employed  her  whole  heart  ind  souj  in 
he,  alas  1  vi^tp  labor  of  curing  him  of  the,  sin  U  laziness  ' 
f  any  reader  is  concerned  in  knowing  the  fi/ture  fate  of 
that  interesting  young  gentleman,  I  am  h;/ppy  to  ky 
.wh<fh  he  arrived  at  the  years  of  discretion/ i;  made  th; 
^^ancc  of  >  strapping,  strong-arme<^  red-cheeked 
Germdp  girl  who  fell  violently  in  love  w/th  the  tallow-  / 

Tuti^  T^»^T"  "^^  '^"^  '°^^^    °^   ^^«  fascinating/ 
youth.     Mr.  Henley,  after  revolving  the  ^at>er  ov^r  pr<^ 


M 


3routh. 


'X'1^. 


t,"' 


\ 


m 


MMET1N08  AND  PABTllfOB. 


foundly  in  all  its  bearings,  cainc  to  tlje  concluflon  th^i 
he  might  as  well  marry  licr  as  not,  which  l»c  accordingly 
did,  in  itio  "fuHneas  ot  tiroo"— having  , previously 
extorted  a  promise  front  iicr  to  do  all  the,  work.  Mrti 
Tom,  who  had  an  invincible  antipathy  to  "  furrinerp," 
looked  jyilh  dislike  at  fir§t  on  hcf,  i^iece-ln-Uw  ;  but  the 
unvaoing  good  humor  of  Mrs.  n^t]lley,  and  her  willing^ 
ncsrto  work,  soon  completely  gaiqed  the  good  old  lady't 
Affections,  and  mastered  her  prejudices. 


THE  KND. 


,^ 


'V- 


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1680. 


lato. 


NEW    BOOKS 

^         AND  NKIW   »nfoi«««>. 


0. 


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'ir«v«is. 

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forraat  Ho«iaa'.'! *  •" 

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l>oa«ba»miiiHSr~'«** •»  *»    Sf^.Capparflald •,  ^ 


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Martin  ChuaalawlV.'.!!!::; !  £ 

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New  Oi^noadlttn'^^^-t-Sr  t!?e\*ain^- ?^^^^^^^ 
rii.Con.pIeteWHting.-^A>?,gSI^..,^,^,,^„,      .^^^^^^^ 

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Stephen  Lawrance.    '^™»*«  E.*^«"d««;  Novel..  \" 

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OoldDust.       Do ,  ^„, 

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Laus  Veneris,  and  othJrP^tlRl'l?^  Anna  Randall  Diehl.    ,  vols--  ;^;i 

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Yachtman'a  Primer -TnUl^f!-..-^  tdward  A.  Sothem,  the  actor 
Longfellow^  HSSe  Ufe!!^V te=.''°"«^'-  Amateur  Sailors.    By  Warrin. 
Every.D.y  Home  Adv  S-^of  Hou«hoW  ^Jh  n**''*='l"^S:    Illustrated... 

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Mrs.  Mary  J.  Holmes-  Works. 


rEMPEST  AND  SUNSHINE. 
ENGLISH  ORPHANS 
HOMESTEAD  ON  HiLlSIDE. 
•LENA  RIVEKS. 
MEADOW  BROOK. 
l>ORA   DEANK. 
COUSIN  MAUDE. 
MARIAN  GREV. 
EDH-H  LYLE. 
DAXSV  THORNTON. 
CHATEAU  D'OR 

^^F^^^^  HETHBkTON. 
BESSIE'S  FORTUNE.    (^»., 


I 


DARKNESS  AND  DAYLIGHT. 

HUGH  WORTHINGTON. 

CAMERON  PRIDE. 

ROSE  MATHER. 

KIHKLYN'S  MISTAKE 

MILLBANK. 

EDNA  BROWNUra 

WEST  LAWN. 

MILDRED. 

FORREST  House 

MADfiLINB. 

CHRISTMAS  STORIBS. 


-M«.  *r        ."P'NIONS   OP   THE   PRESS 

MW.  Hoime.'  «orie«  .r«  uniyersally  read      Her  .a 

Iw-y.  life  like,  and  rte  makes  t.em  talk  a^d  T^    I,   k^'""'    ""  «*»"«•"  «» 

^^  en»rio.«.  swayed  by  the  »a2  S»ln.  »f  !  ^""""  ^'"«''  »"*^«  >»  ^^ 
,7Wchare  comm .«  among  ««,  and  w^en  ^^  ^^'""*  ''>'""  *"»«  »"<»"*«. 

•"  very  happy  i„  po«rayVdolst~     OlHnt^  "^'""="    **"•  "°'"- 

with  great  delignt,   for  the  write*  in\r  .    i      ^  ""d  young  peruw  her  storie. 

y'»'*  If^*^.  ''"'"  "•  *  •'>•'"  «hat  aU  can  co«p„he«d."_AV„ 

Tho  North  Amerieao  Review  v„i  r.  » 
Holmes' novel,  "English  Orphan, '•--'"  w^ul'^"'^  "''  "''y  °f^»-  Mary  J. 
been  charmed,  «,d  t>  h;.ve  .  «1,  *"  ""**'  "^  M"*-  Holtae.'  we  have 

whom  we  ha,;  .1"        f hi 'ScSZ'  ?"="=  «':  ^^-^ntiaarin,  «Je^^ 

be  hung  up  in  perpetual  memo.^  of  CT,  STJZ,    T'  ^J!!!!^  *"  «*"*«^  «» 
dialogue,  a«  generally  bnef.^i^tedr.„°;  "  «»*' becoming  extinct     The 

•«  easUy  and  nahinUi;  i.  i,'  K^d'^^/PP'^P''"^    ^  P""*  «eem.  «„p|e, 

P««  Christian  morality  in  geniTu^^'^i"^'!  *'.'^*  °'«™«>mg.  no,  onl; 
--oruae««««o„  Ji:^^",-^'-^^  the  depen- 

^"^zz^z  i::JdrLf:iJ?2;:;r'^-^»^  -  - 

« In  her  tale,  begins  «  oncTL"  1!^!?!^!  ".   '^^  '^'^'    ^he  inter- 

--«H.nd.  HcrlLpathr^iSi^^rSjIS ?;/•?-.  «-  f""'"^'"' 
clwwer.  and  the  varied  incidenu  oforrfinlrT^f/  .  '**"°«'w«««^e  of  mannere, 
tod  it  difflrultto  write  an^X  tSt^t^  '  *?  "l**^"^'''  *«  •^^  ^^--M 
iW  ^*.^/  -ny  ot^  than  -u,  excellent  tale  If  d,e  w^  to  try  it."- 


"crc^ana  «»*by  «a,l,y«/^y,„,  „„  receipt  of  price  t#i.„e.ch],  by 

Q    W.  CARLETON  ft  CO..  Publisher.. 

33  iVestijrd  Street,  I>ievi  York. 


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.V 


CHARLES  DICKENS'  WORKS. 


A  NEW 


*&t 


EDITION. 


Ajno^f,  *"*  many  editions  of  the  works  of  this  irreatest  of 
Ensrlish' Novelists,  there  has  not  been  until  naiuone  that  entirelf 
satisftesithe  public  demand.— Without  exception,  they  each  havn 
■j>me  strong  distinctive  objection,— either  the  form  and  dimeo, 
llonsof  the  volumes  are  unhandy— or,  the  type  is  small  an.' 
indistinct— or,  the  illustrations  are  unsatisfactory— or,  the  bind- 
ing is  uoct— or,  the  price  is  too  high. 

An  entirely  new  edition  is  now,  however,  published  by  G.  W. 
Carletun  &  Co.,  of  New  York,  which,  in  every  respect,  com- 
pletely satisaes  the  popular  demand.— It  is  known  as 

\       "Corletan's  Ncir  Illustrated  Edition." 

Complete  in  15  Volumes. 

The  size  and  form  is  most  convenient  for  holding,— the  type  is 
entirely  new,  and  of  a  clear  and  open  character  that  has  received 
the  approval  of  thn  reading  community  in  other  woiks. 

The  illustrations  are  by  the  original  artists  chosen  by  Charles 
Dickens  himself— and  the  paper,  printing,  and  binding  are  of  an 
tttractive  and  substantial  character. 

This  beautifufnew  edition  is  complete  in  i<  volumes— at  tho 
JZtrcnaely  reasonable  price  of  $1.50  per  volume,  as  follows  ,-— 

1.— riCKWICK   PAPERS   AND  CATALOGUE. 

a.— OLIVER  TWIST.— UNCOMMERCIAL  TRAVELLER. 

3. — DAVIU  COPPERFIELD, 

4.— GREAT  BXPECTATIONS. — ITALY  AND  AMERICA. 

5. — DOMPEY  AND  SON. 

6.— BARNAOY  RUDGE  AND  EDWIN  DROOD. 

7. — NIClIOLA<«  NICKLEBY. 

8.— CURIOSITY  SHOP  AND  MISCELLANKO0S. 

9. — BLEAK  HOUSE, 
ia— LITTLE  DOkRIT. 
II. — MARTIN  CHUZZLEWIT. 
la. — 01  R  MUTUAL  FRIE.VD. 

13.— CHRISTMAS  BOOKS.— TALE  OF   nvo  CITTBS. 
14.— SKETptlES  BY   BOZ   AND   HARD  TIMES. 
■     15.— child's  ENGLAND  A.ND  MISCELLANEOUS. 

Tho  first  vo'.uma  -Pickwick  Papers— contains  an  a]pli*beticat 
OBtalogue  of  a*l  ot  Charles  Dickens'  writings,  with  thsir  exact 
posit-ons  in  the  volumes. 

This  edition  is  sold  by  Booksellers,  cverywhe;  t— and  smgit. 
■pecimen  copies  will  be  forwaided  by  rnail,/wA  <-r  /ne,  on  re. 
eeiptofpiice,  $1.50,  by  "^ 

«.  W.  CARLETON  &  CO.,  Pnbllshere, 

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POPULAR  *^1t'ew  BOO^sT" 

'*.VEW  lOItKjf^ELKLY"  SEIilES 

b.»e..  rnquosted  bv  th^ir  roA-lora  to  issue  some  of  ii.^^r  f^*"*'"- »'aviu,< 
popular  Storlup  in  »..ok  Form,  have  cnnsrntA,?  «.  T'*^  ^^**^*  '""^  ™^*t 
arran.,,,n.„ts  f.,    s„e.  P.x...ic;.tK.^:i't'.rt'lf.!^'u.^tL'r,!  ?i:,Tv  « 

O.  W.  UlLLiT^OHAM,  Fublishe,-. 

r/.e  t)«/Mm.8  a«,va,/y  pufrz;;w"are  as  follows  : 
Thrown  on  the  World.-A  Novnl.  by  Bbethv  M   Clay 

frf  I'^SSl?'!?''^'''''*"-^  ^'o^«'-  •^y  Annie  Ashmobe. 
Kick  Whifflc8.-A  No^d.  by  Dk.  J.  H.  Robinson 
Lady  Leoaora.-A  N  >v.l.  by  Caehis  Conelin 
Clarity  Onnder  Papcrs.-By  Maby  Kyle  Dallas. 

•  2?.i?'«*""®™*'°*-~'^  ^"^"^-  ^y  Beetha  M.  Cuvv 
A  Wifs'a  Tr.igrcdy-A  Novel,  by  May  Agnes  Fi^emino 
Onrse  of  Bvorlci^h.-Uy  Hel::n  Corwin  Pi-bch 
jbere  Works  Woadars.-A  No  vol.  by  B^ErnA  M  Clay 
it.yolya's  Polly.    A  xXivel.  by  Ezrtha  M.  Clay. 
A  Changed  Ileait— A  Novel,  by  Mavaonks  Fleming 
La^  Darner's  Secret.- A  Novel,  by  Bebtha  II  Cl  t 
A  Woaa^'a  Temptation.-.'.  Novel,  by  Bebtha' M.  Cilxr 
Br^imie's  Trinrnph.-  A  N,n-.l  by  Mrs.  Guoegie  Sheldon 
AWrdnf ed  Wife-A  Novel,  by  May  Agnes  Fleming. 
Pride  end  Passion -a  No\el,  by  May  Agnes  Flemino. 
"  B^peated  at  Leisnre  -A  Nov),  by  Bebth  v  M   ^r  at 
Porsaken  Briip.-A  Novi,  by  m-x.  GiiORGiE  Sheldon. 
Betweoa  Two  Loycs.-A Nuv.l,  by  Bebtua  M.  Clay. 
Hm  Other  Wifj.-A  Novel,  by  Bose  Ashleigh. 
Barle  W:iyne  s  Mobility  .-By  Mrs.  Geokgis  Sheldon. 
A  Steuffjlo  Tor  a  Biag.-A  Novel,  by  Bekuha  M.  Clay. 
J*!*-:*--!  Pearlc-By  iiirs.  Geobgie  Sheldon. 
mando  Percy  s  Secret-A  Novel,  by  May  Agnes  Fleming 
The  Actress'  Daugrhter  (Ne«  )-a  Novel,  by  May  Agnes  Fleming 
Young  VHxa.  Ohamleigh.-A  Novel,  by  T.  W.  Hanshew. 
Eirl's  Atonement.— A  N..vel.  by  Bebtha  M.  Clay. 
Ptit  Asunder.— A  No\-eI.  hv  Bebtha  M.  Clay. 
A  Woman's  Web. -By  Rjse  Ashlligh. 
Beyond  Pardon-A  Novel,  by  Bebtha  M  Clay. 
StcUa  Bosevelt— A  Novel,  by  Mrs.  Geohgir  Sheldon 

G.  W.  DILUN6BAM.  PabU?her. 

(Sl^CCESaOR  to  Q.  Vf.  CAKI.ETON  it  CO.) 

■ .__  33  West  TweRiy.iliird  8t„  New  York. 


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